Llanymynech

Standing right on the English-Welsh border, this small town straddles two countries so completely that the old pub used to serve English beer on one side and Welsh on the other. Llanymynech feels properly remote, tucked into rolling hills that rise dramatically from the Severn Valley floor.

Llanymynech Hill dominates everything here. The limestone quarries that once made this place prosperous have left behind an extraordinary landscape of cliffs, caves and rare flora. Walking up to the summit gives you cracking views across Shropshire and into Wales - on a clear day you can see the Berwyn mountains. The old workings are now a nature reserve where wild orchids bloom in summer.

Down in the valley, the Tanat Valley Light Railway Museum tells the story of the narrow-gauge line that once carried limestone from the quarries. It's a proper labour of love, this place, run by enthusiasts who know every rivet and signal box.

St Michael's church sits quietly in the village centre, worth a look for its Norman architecture and peaceful churchyard. The surrounding countryside is a walker's paradise - Moelydd and Allt Goch offer excellent rambles through ancient woodlands like Laundry Wood and Domen Wood, while the Standing Stone marks one of several archaeological sites scattered across these hills.

Getting here takes commitment. The nearest railway station is Welshpool, about eight miles south, though most visitors drive via Oswestry. Once you're here though, you'll appreciate the peace. The hills shelter you from the modern world rather effectively.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring this forgotten corner of the borderlands. You're within striking distance of both Welsh castles and English market towns, while the immediate area offers enough walking and wildlife watching to fill a proper fortnight.