Corby

Steel works once dominated the skyline here, and their legacy still shapes this former new town that rose from village roots in the 1930s. Corby's industrial heritage runs deep, but these days it's better known as a gateway to some of England's finest ancient woodlands and rolling countryside that stretches towards Rutland and Leicestershire.

Fineshade Woods offers proper walking territory - centuries-old forest where you can lose yourself for hours among oak and ash trees. The nearby Wakerley Great Wood provides equally good rambling, while smaller copses like Cadge Wood and Briary Wood make for shorter afternoon strolls when you fancy something less ambitious.

History buffs will find plenty to explore beyond the trees. The Rutland Roman Villa and Mosaic reveals intricate floor patterns left by Romans nearly two millennia ago, while Castle Hymel's ruins hint at medieval power struggles. For something completely different, the Chapel of St Thomas Aquinus offers quiet contemplation.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the A427 runs straight through from the M1, while regular trains connect to London and Birmingham. The town sits roughly halfway between Kettering and Stamford, making it a sensible base for exploring both Northamptonshire's gentle hills and Rutland's more dramatic landscape.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the area puts you within easy reach of this varied countryside. Rockingham Forest Park gives you forest access practically on your doorstep, while sites like Ferry Meadows near Peterborough open up water-based activities around the Nene Valley. The combination works brilliantly - urban convenience when you need it, proper countryside when you don't.