Market Drayton

Gingerbread puts this north Shropshire market town on the map. Market Drayton has been turning out the sticky stuff since the 1790s, and you can still catch the sweet smell drifting down the high street on baking days. Robert Clive - yes, Clive of India - was born here, though the town feels decidedly more modest than its colonial connection suggests.

The weekly Wednesday market still draws crowds to the central square, much as it has for centuries. Market Drayton sits in proper farming country, surrounded by rolling fields that stretch towards the Welsh borders. It's quiet midweek, but that's part of its appeal - no tourist crowds fighting for parking.

Woodland walks are the big draw here. Fox Covert and The Forty Acres offer decent rambles without the crowds you'd find in the Peak District. Bellaport Wood and Cheswell Wood provide more serious hiking if you fancy a longer trek. For something different, Knighton Reservoir makes for a peaceful afternoon, especially if you're into fishing or just want to escape the car for a bit.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A53 runs right through town, connecting to the M54 about 20 miles south. Shrewsbury lies 20 miles southwest if you need proper shops or a railway station. The Festival Drayton Centre puts on decent local productions if you're staying for a few days.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby parks makes real sense. You're perfectly placed for day trips into the Shropshire Hills or across to Ironbridge, while Market Drayton itself provides all the basics - proper pubs, a Tesco, and that famous gingerbread to take home.