Herefordshire

Rolling hills sweep down to the River Lugg, where market towns have thrived for centuries on wool and hops. This stretch of north Herefordshire feels properly rural - you're more likely to spot red kites than traffic jams on the narrow lanes that wind between apple orchards and sheep pastures.

Leominster anchors the area with its magnificent Priory Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, where Norman arches tower over centuries of local history. The town's wool wealth built those handsome black-and-white buildings along the high street, though midweek it's refreshingly quiet compared to the Cotswolds crowds.

Croft Ambrey offers some of the finest views in the Welsh Marches. This Iron Age hillfort sits 1,000 feet up, with the Black Mountains rising to the west and Shropshire's gentler hills rolling north. It's a proper climb but well worth the effort on a clear day.

Quirky finds dot the countryside. The Sunken Chamber and Grotto near Croft Castle hint at 18th-century landscaping ambitions, while the old Icehouse shows how they kept things cool before refrigeration. George's Plantation makes for decent woodland walking when the weather turns.

Getting here means the A49 from Shrewsbury or Hereford, with Leominster station connecting to Birmingham and Cardiff. It's a bit of a trek from major cities, but that's rather the point - you come here to escape.

Staying at one of the local caravan parks puts you right in the countryside while keeping market town amenities within easy reach. Perfect for exploring the Welsh borders without the tourist hordes that plague more famous spots.