Norwich

Flint-knapped churches dot the countryside like ancient sentinels here, where Norfolk's gentle hills roll towards the coast just 15 miles away. This is proper rural Norfolk - the kind where village signs are works of art and ancient woodlands whisper stories of centuries past.

Great Water provides a focal point for walkers and wildlife watchers, its still surface reflecting the big skies that make this county famous. Saint Margaret of Antioch and Saint Giles churches showcase the region's medieval heritage, their towers visible across farmland that's been worked for over a thousand years. The Gunton Park Sawmill tells a different story - of Victorian industry and forestry that shaped the landscape we see today.

Village signs here aren't mere markers but proper artworks. Roughton, Suffield, Antingham and Tuttington each display hand-crafted emblems celebrating local history. It's a Norfolk tradition that turns a simple drive into a treasure hunt.

Old John's Wood offers miles of walking through ancient woodland, where bluebells carpet the forest floor each spring. The coast beckons too - Cromer's famous pier and crab sandwiches are barely half an hour's drive north.

Getting here means taking the A140 from Norwich, then branching off onto country lanes that seem designed for dawdling. The nearest railway station is at Roughton Road, connecting you to the main Norwich-Sheringham line.

Staying at one of the local holiday parks puts you right in the heart of this gentle landscape. Forest Park Caravan Site and Glen Farm Norfolk offer peaceful bases for exploring both the countryside and coast, while The Grove Glamping provides a touch more luxury among the trees.