Brackley

Motor racing thunders through this market town's consciousness every July, when the British Grand Prix transforms sleepy Brackley into the epicentre of Formula 1 fever. But strip away the racing weekend chaos and you'll find a proper Northamptonshire market town that's quietly going about its business, with stone cottages lining streets that have barely changed since the 18th century.

The town sits in gently rolling countryside that's quintessentially English - not dramatic, but thoroughly pleasant. Plumpton Wood and Allithorne Wood offer decent walks when you need to stretch your legs, while the Source of Great Ouse provides a curious geographical talking point. It's hardly spectacular, but there's something satisfying about standing at the start of England's fourth-longest river.

Silverstone Circuit dominates everything here. Even when the F1 circus isn't in town, you'll hear engines screaming round the track on most weekends. Love it or loathe it, the circuit has shaped modern Brackley completely. The town's pubs fill up with mechanics and engineers year-round - it's that sort of place.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A43 runs right through town, connecting you to the M40 in about twenty minutes. Oxford's 25 miles south, Milton Keynes roughly the same distance northeast. The railway closed decades ago, so you'll need a car.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense if you're planning to tackle Silverstone - whether for racing or the driving experiences they run throughout the year. Hamilton Fields Campsite and Silverstone Farm Campsite put you right in the thick of things, while Windmill Farm Campsite offers a slightly quieter base. When the racing's not on, you've got easy access to the Cotswolds and decent day trips to Warwick or Stratford.