Christchurch

Two rivers converge here where ancient heathland meets the sea - the Avon and Stour creating a watery gateway between Dorset and Hampshire that feels properly wild despite being just minutes from Bournemouth. Christchurch sits at this confluence with a genuine medieval heart that most seaside towns have long since lost.

The Priory dominates everything. Saint Mary's Church, with its Norman nave and soaring spire, has watched over this river crossing for nearly a thousand years. Wander the ruins of the castle keep, then follow the millstream that still powers the old waterwheel - it's a proper step back in time.

But it's the New Forest that really makes staying here special. Setthorns Campsite and Holmsley Campsite put you right on the forest edge, where ponies graze freely and ancient rights of pannage still hold. Burley Beacon offers cracking views across the heathland, while Burbush Hill and Dur Hill make for decent walks without the crowds you'll find deeper in the forest.

Avon Beach stretches for miles towards Mudeford, all golden sand and beach huts. The harbour's lovely too - catch a ferry across to Mudeford Sandbank or just watch the boats coming and going. It gets busy in summer, mind, but midweek in shoulder season it's blissfully quiet.

Getting here's dead easy - the A35 runs straight through, and Christchurch station connects to London in under two hours. The town centre's compact enough to walk everywhere, though you'll want wheels for exploring the forest properly. Stay at one of the nearby parks like Hoburne Naish or New Forest Centenary and you've got the best of both worlds - forest walks and seaside within minutes.