Christchurch

Where the New Forest meets the sea, this Hampshire gem sits right on the edge of two worlds. You can find yourself wandering through ancient woodland one moment and feeling salt spray on your face the next. Christchurch has that proper market town feel - not overdone, not trying too hard, just quietly getting on with being rather lovely.

The town centre has character. Real shops, not just chains. A few decent pubs where locals actually drink. The high street quiets down after 5pm, which suits it fine. This isn't a place that needs to shout about itself.

Venture into the surrounding New Forest and you'll understand why people make the trek. Burley Village, just up the road, does a cracking line in tea rooms and gift shops without being overly twee. The Burley War Memorial sits in a spot with proper views across the heathland. Berry Beeches offers some of the best walking in the area - not a challenging hike, but satisfying enough.

For something different, Woods Corner and the ancient woodlands around Hole Copse and Ossemsley Brake give you that deep forest feeling. Ponies might wander past. It's that kind of place.

Getting here is straightforward - the A35 runs right past, and it's a short hop from Bournemouth if you're coming by train. The coast is minutes away; the forest even closer.

Using one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're well-placed for both forest walks and seaside trips, with Hoburne's various sites offering different vibes depending on what you're after. The New Forest Centenary site puts you right in the thick of the woodland action.