Stourport-on-Severn

Georgian basin locks and red-brick warehouses line the Severn here, testament to a town that sprouted from nothing when canals arrived in 1771. Stourport-on-Severn feels like stepping into Britain's industrial past - but the prettier bits of it.

The River Severn curves lazily past the town centre, where you can still see the original canal basins that made this place. It's properly atmospheric on a misty morning. The Tontine Hotel dominates the waterfront, a grand Georgian pile that's been welcoming travellers since the canal boom days.

Climbing Stagborough Hill rewards you with cracking views across the Severn Valley, while Hurtle Hill offers another decent vantage point over the surrounding countryside. Both are short walks from town - nothing too strenuous. The Memorial Orchard provides a quieter spot for reflection, away from the waterside bustle.

Worcester sits just 20 minutes south if you fancy cathedral spires and proper shopping, but Stourport has enough character to keep you occupied for a day or two. The surrounding Worcestershire countryside rolls away in gentle hills and decent walking territory.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A451 runs right through town, connecting to the M54 and beyond. Kidderminster railway station is your nearest rail link, about four miles east.

Basing yourself at one of the local parks makes perfect sense. You're ideally placed for river walks along the Severn, plus easy access to the Wyre Forest and broader Worcestershire attractions. The town itself has that relaxed canal-side atmosphere that's hard to find these days - industrial heritage without the grime.