Milton Keynes

Roundabouts, concrete cows and shopping centres - that's what most people think of when Milton Keynes gets mentioned. But look beyond the grid road system and you'll find a surprisingly green new town with more parks per square mile than anywhere else in Britain. The artificial lake at Willen is proper lovely for sailing, while the Peace Pagoda adds an unexpected splash of Buddhist serenity to the landscape.

Bowling, shopping and cinema complexes dominate the entertainment scene here. The Centre:MK pulls in crowds from across Buckinghamshire, though it's fairly quiet midweek. Xscape offers indoor skiing - a bit mad in the middle of England, but the kids love it. Stadium MK might not have the character of older football grounds, but it's got cracking facilities.

Countryside fans shouldn't write off MK entirely. The Grand Union Canal cuts through the northern edge, offering decent walking along the towpath. You're also well placed for day trips - the Chiltern Hills are just half an hour south, while historic Buckingham sits 20 minutes north.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Milton Keynes Central station has regular services to London Euston in just 35 minutes. The M1 runs right past if you're driving, though the internal road system takes getting used to. A holiday park base makes perfect sense here - you can explore the town's family attractions without the hassle of central parking, then escape to proper countryside when the concrete gets too much.