Newark

Ancient woodland practically surrounds this corner of Nottinghamshire, where medieval villages dot the landscape between stands of oak and beech. Newark sits at the heart of proper countryside - the kind where you'll find working farms still using the medieval strip system at Laxton, complete with its own Court Leet that's been running for centuries.

The area feels refreshingly untouched by modern development. Laxton Middle Wood and High Wood offer excellent walking, while Kneesall Wood provides that proper forest experience where you can lose yourself among the trees. It's countryside that changes with the seasons - brilliant for autumn colours, lovely in spring when the bluebells emerge.

History buffs will appreciate Gaddick Hill Motte and Bailey, one of those Norman earthworks that reminds you just how strategic this area once was. The Museum of the Horse at nearby Laxton tells the story of working horses in agriculture, while St Michael the Archangel church there is worth a visit for its medieval architecture.

For something different, Sally Mitchells Gallery showcases local artists, and the village signs - particularly at Egmanton - are proper works of art themselves. Our Lady of Egmanton church has quite a story too, being one of England's major Catholic pilgrimage sites.

Getting here is straightforward enough - Newark's well connected by rail and road, making it an excellent base for exploring this quieter part of Nottinghamshire. The surrounding villages are a short drive through rolling farmland, and you're close enough to Sherwood Forest for day trips. Staying at one of the local holiday parks means you can properly explore these ancient woods and forgotten villages at your own pace, away from the tourist crowds that plague better-known areas.