Kenilworth

That famous castle ruin rising above the town tells only half the story. Kenilworth's got proper medieval swagger, but it's far from a sleepy heritage village - this is a working Warwickshire town with character to spare.

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden dominates everything, and rightly so. The red sandstone ruins are absolutely massive, and you can spend hours wandering through what was once England's most romantic fortress. John of Gaunt's Great Hall still gives you goosebumps. The Elizabethan Garden is a recent recreation, but they've done it beautifully.

Beyond the castle, the town centre around the Clock Tower has a proper local feel. Independent shops line the streets, and you won't find the usual chain store monotony here. The War Memorial sits at the heart of things, while Little Virginia offers a quiet spot to catch your breath.

Crackley Wood LNR provides a lovely escape when you've had enough of history. It's proper woodland walking, just minutes from the town centre. The contemporary art scattered around town - including pieces like Black Cube and the Hare sculpture - shows Kenilworth isn't stuck in the past.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The train station puts you right in the thick of things, with regular services to Birmingham and beyond. It's a 15-minute drive from Warwick and 20 from Coventry.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to walk into town for dinner, but you've got easy access to Warwick Castle, the Cotswolds edge, and all of Shakespeare Country. Knight's Village at Warwick Castle offers themed accommodation if the kids are castle-mad.