Nottingham

The River Trent curves lazily through this corner of south Nottinghamshire, where working villages blend into Nottingham's sprawling suburbs. It's proper countryside once you leave the A52 behind - rolling farmland dotted with medieval church spires and the occasional country pub that actually serves locals rather than tourists.

Cotgrave Country Park offers decent walking trails if you fancy stretching your legs, though the landscape here is more gentle than dramatic. The real draw is Holme Pierrepont Hall, a Tudor manor that's survived everything from Civil War skirmishes to Victorian 'improvements'. Its red brick facade and formal gardens make for a lovely afternoon out.

Golf enthusiasts rate The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club highly - the course winds through mature parkland with views across the Trent Valley. Less energetic types might prefer the reed-fringed waters of Netherfield Lagoons, where herons fish undisturbed and dog walkers congregate.

Radcliffe train station puts you just 20 minutes from Nottingham city centre, making this area ideal for anyone wanting easy access to Robin Hood's stomping ground without the urban hustle. The castle, lace market, and forest beyond are all within striking distance.

Staying at one of the local parks makes perfect sense here. You're close enough to nip into town for a proper curry or catch a Forest match, yet far enough out to hear actual birdsong rather than traffic. The Trent provides decent fishing if that's your thing, and several parks offer riverside pitches where you can watch narrowboats chug past while your bacon cooks.