Stowmarket

Rolling Suffolk countryside surrounds this market town, where red-brick Georgian buildings line the high street between modern chain stores and independent shops. Stowmarket sits at the heart of Mid Suffolk's farming country, though you'd hardly know it from the town centre on a busy Saturday morning.

The town makes a proper base for exploring Suffolk's quieter corners. Within easy reach, you'll find Earl Soham & Cliff Quay Brewery for a pint and a chat with locals who've lived here for decades. The surrounding villages each have their own character - many marked by their distinctive village signs, from Debenham's elaborate design to the simpler markers at Winston and Mickfield.

Woodland walks beckon just outside town. Hoppit Wood offers decent trails through mixed woodland, while Hogg's Kiss Wood provides a bit more solitude if you fancy a longer ramble. Both are well worth the short drive from the town centre.

Getting here is straightforward enough - Stowmarket station sits on the main London to Norwich line, with regular services from both directions. By car, the A14 runs nearby, connecting you to Bury St Edmunds in one direction and Ipswich in the other.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the area gives you the best of both worlds. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a meal out, yet surrounded by proper countryside. Several glamping sites like Secret Meadows and Suffolk Yurt Holidays offer a more upmarket camping experience, while traditional sites provide the basics done well.