Newton Abbot

Market towns don't get much more proper than this. Newton Abbot sits right in the heart of South Devon, a working town that's somehow managed to keep its soul despite being perfectly positioned between Dartmoor's wilds and the English Riviera's glitz. The weekly market still draws proper crowds on Wednesdays and Saturdays - none of that artisanal nonsense, just honest traders selling everything from wellies to proper Devonshire cream.

Dartmoor looms to the west, and you can feel it. The granite tors are only a short drive away, but the countryside around Newton Abbot has its own quiet appeal. Berry's Wood Hillfort offers cracking views without the Dartmoor crowds, while gentle peaks like Knowle Hill and Torcorn Hill make for decent afternoon walks. The Mare & Foal Sanctuary Visitors Centre is worth a visit if you're travelling with children - and the ponies genuinely need the support.

For something completely different, The Barn Cinema in nearby Dartington shows proper films in a converted medieval tithe barn. It's a bit of a trek but well worth it for the atmosphere alone. Closer to town, The Italian Garden at Great Ambrook provides an unexpected slice of formal gardens that most people miss entirely.

Getting here is straightforward - the A38 runs right past, and the railway station connects to London Paddington in under three hours. From holiday parks like Dornafield on Dartmoor's edge or Whitehill Country Park, you can explore both the moor's dramatic landscapes and the gentler countryside around Newton Abbot. Plus you're only twenty minutes from Torquay if the seaside calls.