Hereford

The River Wye carves through this cathedral city with a lazy elegance that's defined Hereford for centuries. Red sandstone buildings line streets that feel properly lived-in rather than polished for tourists, while the imposing cathedral dominates the skyline with its mismatched Norman and Early English towers.

Hereford's real draw isn't its high street shopping - though the weekly markets are decent enough. It's the gateway position to some of Wales' most dramatic upland scenery. The Black Mountains rise like sleeping giants to the west, with peaks such as Pen Y Gadair Fawr and Black Mountain South Top offering serious hiking for those willing to make the trek. Closer to town, the gentler slopes around Garn Wen provide excellent walking without the commitment.

Cider culture runs deep here. Proper Herefordshire cider, not the fizzy stuff. The surrounding orchards have been pressing apples for generations, and you'll find the real thing in pubs across the county. Grwyne Fawr Reservoir makes for a lovely afternoon drive through countryside that switches between rolling pasture and sudden dramatic valleys.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A49 runs right through town, connecting to the M50 for London and Birmingham. Rail links aren't bad either, with direct services to Birmingham and Cardiff. For exploring the wider area, particularly those Welsh peaks and the Wye Valley, staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. Places like Hay-on-Wye Caravan Park or By the Wye Glamping put you right in the countryside while keeping Hereford's amenities within easy reach.