Craven Arms

A railway junction town that's grown up around the crossroads of England and Wales, Craven Arms sits at the heart of some of Shropshire's most dramatic countryside. The town itself is refreshingly unpretentious - a working place rather than a tourist destination, with a proper high street and the kind of local shops that still matter to the community.

The real draw here is what surrounds it. Ancient hillforts dot the landscape, including the intriguing archaeological remains at Camp and the substantial earthworks of Broadward Motte. These Iron Age settlements tell the story of a contested borderland, where Welsh princes and English lords fought for centuries over this fertile valley. Heath Wood and Bank Wood offer excellent walking, with paths that climb through mixed woodland to surprisingly expansive views.

Wart Hill and Burrow provide the area's high points - literally. The climbs are steep but manageable, and on clear days you can see across three counties from the summit ridges. Both peaks are part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the walking here rivals anything in the Welsh borders.

Getting here is straightforward. Broome station connects you to the Heart of Wales line, one of Britain's most scenic railway journeys, while the A49 brings drivers up from Hereford or down from Shrewsbury in about half an hour. The town serves as an excellent base for exploring both the Shropshire Hills and the borderlands beyond.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense - you're far enough out to enjoy proper countryside quiet, but close enough to stock up on supplies or grab a decent meal when you fancy it.