Buxton

Three hundred metres above sea level, this spa town sits in a natural bowl surrounded by limestone hills that glow white in the afternoon sun. Built on thermal springs that the Romans discovered nearly 2000 years ago, Buxton still feels like somewhere people come to take the waters - though these days it's more about the architecture and the Peak District walking than Victorian health cures.

The town centre is proper Georgian elegance. Grand crescents curve around manicured gardens, while the Opera House anchors the cultural quarter with year-round performances that draw crowds from Manchester and Sheffield. But it's the surrounding countryside that really makes this place special.

Head out in any direction and you're into classic White Peak territory within minutes. Chelmorton Low and Sough Top offer cracking views across the dales, while the archaeological site at Five Wells proves people have been drawn to these hills for millennia. Miller's Dale Monsal Trail cuts through some of the finest limestone scenery in the Peak District - a proper treat for walkers and cyclists alike.

Tideswell Dale Cave appeals to the more adventurous, though the nature reserves at Priestcliffe Lees and Derbyshire Dales are easier wins for families. Deep Dale makes for a lovely afternoon ramble, especially when combined with a visit to St Margaret's Church in Wormhill.

Getting here is straightforward enough - direct trains from Manchester take about an hour, while it's a 40-minute drive from the M6. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Lime Tree Holiday Park or Greenhills Holiday Park puts you within striking distance of both the town's Georgian splendour and some of the Peak District's finest walking country. You really can't go wrong.