Gloucester

This old cathedral city sits where the River Severn meets the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, its industrial heritage still evident in the Victorian docks that once made it England's most inland port. The famous Junction Swing Bridge stands as a testament to this maritime past - a proper bit of engineering that still turns to let boats through the canal.

Gloucester Cathedral dominates the skyline, its Norman architecture and soaring Gothic tower visible from miles around. The docks area has been brilliantly transformed into a cultural quarter with museums, shops and cafés housed in converted warehouses. It's got character without feeling overly polished.

Rural Gloucestershire unfolds in all directions from here. The Forest of Dean sprawls to the west, while the Cotswolds roll away to the east - you're perfectly positioned for exploring both. The M5 runs right past the city, making it dead easy to reach from Birmingham or Bristol.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get countryside tranquillity but can nip into town for dinner or a proper explore of the cathedral in under twenty minutes. Several parks dot the surrounding farmland - Baldwin's Brook Glamping offers a more upmarket experience, while traditional sites like West End Farm provide no-frills camping among apple orchards.

The city itself is compact enough to walk around in an afternoon, but there's enough here to keep you busy for a long weekend. Plus you're ideally placed for day trips into the Cotswolds or across to Wales.