New Milton

The railway arrived here in 1888, transforming a collection of farms and cottages into Hampshire's newest market town. New Milton sits on the southern edge of the New Forest, where ancient woodland gives way to a surprisingly dramatic coastline of clay cliffs and shingle beaches.

Barton On Sea Beach stretches for miles eastward, its unstable cliffs constantly reshaping themselves - geology in action. The beach itself is all shingle and fossils, popular with dog walkers but not your typical seaside holiday spot. Much better is Naish Beach to the west, where proper sand meets the Solent and families actually swim.

Culture comes courtesy of the Forest Arts Centre, which punches well above its weight for touring productions. In The Frame gallery showcases local artists, while Alan Brain's studio offers both paintings and tuition if you fancy trying your hand.

The town centre is functional rather than pretty. Wednesday market brings a bit of life to the high street, but it's mostly chain shops and charity outlets. What New Milton does well is access - you're twenty minutes from Bournemouth by train, yet the New Forest proper begins just north of town.

Chewton Bunny Nature Reserve protects a slice of heathland where ponies still graze freely. The Indian Memorial commemorates the Sikh and Hindu soldiers who recovered here during the First World War, a moving reminder of the area's military history.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or catch the train to Southampton, yet surrounded by forest walks and coastal paths. The best of both worlds, really - proper countryside with decent transport links.