Kidderminster

Steam trains and carpet mills might sound an unlikely combination, but this Worcestershire town's made both work brilliantly. Kidderminster sits at the heart of the Severn Valley, where Victorian industry meets proper countryside, and the famous railway heritage runs deeper than most tourists realise.

The Severn Valley Railway is the real draw here. Forget theme park thrills - this is proper steam travel, chugging through some of the most gorgeous river valley scenery in the Midlands. The Kidderminster Railway Museum tells the full story, housed in the original station buildings where you can still catch trains to Bewdley and Bridgnorth. It's brilliant for families, though weekends get busy.

Beyond the railway, Kidderminster reveals quieter pleasures. Spennells Valley Nature Reserve offers lovely walks without the crowds, while a string of pools - Podmore, Broadwaters Upper, Stanklyn and Captain's - provide peaceful fishing spots and wildlife watching. The town centre's a bit tired midweek, but The Rose Theatre punches above its weight with touring shows.

Historically minded visitors should seek out Caldwall Tower and Mount Skipet, remnants of the area's medieval past that most people walk straight past. St John The Baptist Church anchors the old town, while the modern Lume Cinema does decent independent films alongside the blockbusters.

From Birmingham, it's a straightforward 40-minute train journey. The surrounding countryside is criss-crossed with footpaths leading into the Wyre Forest, making any of the nearby holiday parks a smart base for exploring both the railway heritage and the lovely Worcestershire landscape beyond.