Waltham Cross

Commuter territory this might be, but Waltham Cross has proper character hiding beneath its workaday exterior. The town sits on the edge of the Lee Valley Regional Park - a green corridor that stretches from Hertfordshire down to the Thames - offering surprising escapes just minutes from the high street.

Copped Hall stands as the area's crown jewel. This 18th-century mansion, painstakingly restored after decades of dereliction, hosts everything from vintage car rallies to Jane Austen adaptations. The surrounding parkland is lovely for a wander, especially when the walled garden's in bloom.

Fishers Green provides the perfect antidote to urban life. Pack a picnic and claim your spot along the River Lea - it's properly peaceful here, with canal boats chugging past and plenty of wildlife to spot. The Laura Trott Leisure Centre keeps things active if the weather turns, while the various trail features like Log Walk and Woody Weave offer family-friendly outdoor fun.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the M25 runs right past, and trains from Liverpool Street take about half an hour. It's classic Greater London overspill territory, but that makes it ideal for exploring both the capital and the Hertfordshire countryside.

Staying at one of the Lee Valley campsites gives you the best of both worlds. You're close enough to pop into London for the day, yet surrounded by green space that feels miles from anywhere. The network of parks along the valley - from Lee Valley Campsite at Sewardstone to Hertford's site further north - puts you right in the heart of this surprisingly wild corridor.