High Wycombe

The Chiltern Hills roll away in all directions from this former furniture-making town, where beech woods climb steep chalk escarpments and ancient tracks wind through valleys. High Wycombe sits in a natural bowl, surrounded by some of England's most walkable countryside. Beacon Hill offers cracking views across the Thames Valley - on clear days you can see right to Windsor Castle.

The town itself might not win beauty contests, but venture beyond the pedestrianised centre and you'll find proper Chiltern character. Mill Hanging Wood and Churchfield Wood provide excellent rambling territory, with well-marked footpaths threading between centuries-old beeches. Down in the valleys, Twigside Bottom feels wonderfully remote despite being minutes from the M40.

Fingest Great Barn Opera puts on intimate productions in a medieval tithe barn - utterly magical on summer evenings. The standing stone near Beacon Hill hints at much older stories, while Saint Andrew's and Saint Mary churches anchor villages that have barely changed since Domesday.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Junction 4 of the M40 puts you right in the thick of things, while Chinnor station offers a nostalgic alternative via heritage railway. The positioning is superb for exploring the Chilterns - you're equidistant from Oxford, Windsor and the Thames Path.

Camping nearby makes perfect sense. Several sites dot the surrounding countryside, from traditional touring parks like Swiss Farm to more intimate spots like Chiltern Retreat Rural Camping. After days tramping the hills or exploring nearby Henley, nothing beats returning to your pitch as the sun sets behind those rolling beech woods. The contrast between busy High Wycombe and the peaceful countryside just minutes away never gets old.