Newark

Medieval streets wind between timber-framed buildings and Georgian facades, while the River Trent curves past this ancient market town that's seen Romans, Vikings, and Civil War battles. Newark wears its history lightly but proudly, with the impressive castle ruins dominating the riverside and the market square still buzzing twice weekly just as it has for centuries.

The town centre feels properly lived-in rather than touristy. Independent shops mix with familiar chains along the pedestrianised streets, and you'll find decent pubs that haven't been sanitised for visitors. Newark Castle, perched above the Trent, tells stories of King John's death and Civil War sieges through its crumbling walls and excellent museum.

Venture beyond the town boundaries and you'll discover a landscape of quiet villages and meandering waterways. All Saints at North Scarle showcases Norman stonework, while St Wilfrid's Church in Low Marnham sits in countryside so peaceful you'd think you were miles from anywhere. The Trent Valley here feels genuinely rural - fields stretch to distant horizons broken only by church spires and the occasional manor house.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Newark sits bang on the A1 and the East Coast main line, making it a proper crossroads between north and south. It's twenty minutes to Nottingham by train, but feels entirely separate from the city's pull.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of Nottinghamshire without the fuss of city centre parking. You're close enough to walk into town for dinner, far enough out to wake up to birdsong rather than traffic.