Broadway

The honey-coloured limestone buildings seem to glow even on overcast days, creating one of the Cotswolds' most photographed high streets. Broadway's wide main thoroughfare earned it the nickname 'Jewel of the Cotswolds', though on summer weekends you'll understand why locals call it the 'M25 of market towns'.

Russell House and the Broadway Museum anchor the cultural scene, while antique shops and art galleries line the street between proper pubs serving decent food. The countryside beyond rewards the effort - Porter's Plantation offers woodland walks, while the climb to Knowle Hill delivers proper views across the Vale of Evesham. Raymeadow provides another vantage point for those who fancy a bit of a trek.

Evesham sits just eight miles southeast, making Broadway an excellent base for exploring both the Cotswolds proper and the fruit-growing country of the vale. The contrast is striking - one minute you're among tourist coaches and cream teas, the next you're walking through working orchards and past Bengeworth Lake.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A44 runs right through the centre, connecting to the M40 about 20 minutes away. Parking can be a nightmare in peak season, mind you. Several holiday parks dot the surrounding area, from glamping options like Cotswold Woodland Glamping to traditional sites such as Broadway Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Being based nearby means you can slip into town early morning or late afternoon when the day-trippers have cleared off - that's when Broadway shows its best face.