Driffield

Rolling chalk hills stretch endlessly towards the coast, broken only by meandering becks and scattered woodland. This is proper Yorkshire Wolds country, where Driffield sits as the unofficial capital of what locals call 'the quiet side' of the county. The market town has that unhurried feel you get in places that know their worth without shouting about it.

Main street shopping might be limited, but that's rather the point. Folk come here for the countryside, not crowds. West Beck and Foston Beck wind through the landscape like silver ribbons, while Tinkers' Nook offers decent woodland walking when the weather turns. The real draw, though, is simply being in the heart of the Wolds - those gentle, sweeping hills that never quite get the attention of the Dales but are every bit as lovely.

History buffs should make time for North Frodingham Local History Museum and the Village Cross, both proper examples of how rural Yorkshire preserves its past without fuss. St Elgin's Church and St Andrew's Church at Foston on the Wolds show off the area's ecclesiastical heritage, while D Reservoir provides a surprisingly peaceful spot for an afternoon stroll.

Getting here is straightforward enough - Hutton Cranswick station connects you to the wider rail network, though most visitors arrive by car. The nearby holiday parks make perfect sense as a base, giving you easy access to both the Wolds' walking country and a quick dash to the coast when you fancy sea air. It's that rare thing - proper countryside that's still within striking distance of everything else.