Bury

The sugar beet lorries that once rumbled through this working Suffolk village have been replaced by something far less predictable - families heading to Center Parcs Elveden Forest. Bury sits at the edge of Breckland, where wide skies stretch over heathland and forest, and the landscape feels bigger than most of Suffolk manages. It's proper countryside here, but with a twist.

Center Parcs dominates the local scene, bringing its Subtropical Swimming Paradise and various adventure activities to what was once pure agricultural land. The contrast is stark - you'll find the Aerial Adventure and Off Road Explorers sitting alongside traditional Norfolk lanes. Some might find it jarring, others appreciate having serious family entertainment in such a rural setting.

Risby, just down the road, keeps things more traditional with its Village Sign and War Memorial. West Stow Anglo Saxon Village offers a proper slice of history - this reconstructed settlement tells the story of England's earliest inhabitants far better than most heritage sites manage. The thatched halls and workshops feel authentic rather than theme park fake.

Bury itself remains refreshingly uncommercial. Village Square might sound grand, but this is still a place where tractors have right of way and the local pub knows everyone's usual. The surrounding Breckland countryside is brilliant for walking - all that open heath and forest makes for cracking views and proper solitude when Center Parcs gets too much.

Getting here means driving - the nearest train station is Bury St Edmunds, about 20 minutes away. Staying at one of the local parks makes perfect sense if you want to explore both the modern attractions and the genuinely ancient landscape. You get the best of both worlds without the Center Parcs prices.