Watlington

The Ridgeway cuts right through this market town, bringing with it a steady stream of walkers who pause for proper pub lunches before tackling the ancient chalk downs. Watlington sits in a fold of the Chiltern Hills, where beech woods roll away in all directions and footpaths snake through valleys that feel remarkably remote for somewhere just 15 miles from Oxford.

Saint Margaret church anchors the town centre, its Norman tower visible from the surrounding hills. The real draws here are the walks - Black Wood and Highland Wood offer proper woodland rambles, while the more ambitious can head for Bald Hill or The Knapp for cracking views across the Thames Valley. Russell's Water Village Sign marks one of the more scenic routes out of town.

This is serious walking country. The Chilterns stretch endlessly in every direction, with ancient sites like the Old Brick Kiln dotted through the landscape. Highmoor Common Wood makes for a lovely afternoon stroll, particularly when the bluebells are out in spring.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the M40 runs close by, and Oxford provides the nearest proper shopping and transport links. But once you're settled in one of the local campsites, you might not want to venture far. The network of bridleways and footpaths keeps serious hikers busy for days, while the surrounding woods like Bardolph's Wood and New Copse offer gentler options for families.

Basing yourself at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense if you're planning to explore the Chilterns properly. The Ridgeway alone could occupy a long weekend, and having somewhere comfortable to return to after a day tramping through Diamond Plantation or Woodcock Covert beats driving back and forth from distant accommodation.