Sheffield

Industrial heritage meets rolling Pennine moorland here on Sheffield's western edge, where the city proper gives way to proper countryside. This corner of South Yorkshire feels miles from Sheffield's steel-making centre, though it's barely a half-hour drive to the urban sprawl. The landscape shifts dramatically from suburban streets to open fell country, with Wood Royd Hill offering sweeping views across the Holme Valley.

Broadstones Reservoir makes for a decent afternoon walk - nothing spectacular, but peaceful enough when you need to escape the crowds. Shepley station puts you on the direct line to Manchester, making this area surprisingly well-connected despite its rural feel. The village itself centres around a few local shops and Saint Paul's Shepley, though don't expect much buzz midweek.

What really draws people here is the walking. The Cliffe House Adventure Trail winds through mixed woodland and farmland, while serious hikers head for the higher ground around Krishan's Stone. Local history buffs appreciate the area's collection of memorials and crosses, including the Shepley War Memorial and Maythorne Cross Base, remnants of the area's agricultural past.

Getting here requires a car unless you're using Shepley station - buses are sporadic at best. The nearest proper shopping and dining is back towards Sheffield city centre or over the hill to Huddersfield. That isolation is exactly why the local campsites and glamping spots work so well. Places like Secret Valley Escapes and Beesknees Glamping Holidays give you moorland tranquillity with Sheffield's amenities within reach, while farms like Ingfield Farm Camping offer basic pitches for those who prefer their countryside unpolished.