Honiton

The antique shops and independent cafés that line Honiton's High Street tell you everything about this East Devon market town. Famous for its lace-making heritage, this isn't some touristy theme park version of history - it's a proper working town where locals still pop into traditional shops between train connections to London.

Honiton sits perfectly positioned between the rolling Blackdown Hills and the Jurassic Coast. The town itself centres around that railway station, making it surprisingly well-connected for somewhere that feels quite rural. You can easily reach Exeter in half an hour, yet step outside and you're surrounded by ancient woodlands like Rull Copse and Long Close Copse within minutes.

For a bit of adventure, Mansell Raceway offers proper go-karting thrills, while history buffs will appreciate Stockland Little Castle's medieval remains and the rather intriguing Garnsey's Tower ruin. The Upottery Airfield Nissen Hut Heritage Centre provides fascinating insight into wartime aviation, though it's a bit of a drive out.

Walking opportunities abound on the surrounding hills. Buckerell Knap, Carpenter's Hill and St. Cyres' Hill all offer cracking views across the Devon countryside, while The Woodland Education Centre near Offwell makes for a lovely family outing with its nature trails and wildlife spotting.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Oakdown or Beer Head gives you the best of both worlds - easy access to Honiton's shops and railway links, plus you're perfectly placed for day trips to the coast at Seaton or inland to the Somerset border. The town works well as a base rather than a destination in itself.