Wingrave

Sheep drift across rolling meadows while ancient woodland patches dot the landscape like scattered puzzle pieces. Wingrave sits quietly in the Buckinghamshire countryside, a proper village that hasn't quite shaken off its agricultural roots despite being within striking distance of both Aylesbury and London.

The countryside here feels genuinely unspoilt. Footpaths weave through Evelyn's Patch and The Belt, two woodland areas that offer decent walks without the weekend crowds you'll find closer to the Chilterns proper. Round Spinney and Wingpark Clump provide shorter rambles, while the oddly named Grimstone's Furze rewards the curious with some cracking views across the Vale of Aylesbury.

Families will find Oak Farm Animal Park does exactly what it says on the tin - farm animals in paddocks rather than anything too exotic, but children seem to love it. The village itself centres around a handful of streets and the Methodist Church, though don't expect bustling high street life.

Getting here means driving, really. Aylesbury is your nearest proper town, about 15 minutes away by car, with decent rail links to London Marylebone. The surrounding network of quiet lanes makes cycling pleasant enough, though you'll want to stick to daylight hours.

Staying at one of the nearby camping spots or glamping sites makes perfect sense if you're after a countryside base. Hill Farm and Orchard offers both traditional pitches and posher accommodation, while several other farm-based sites dot the area. You're close enough to Aylesbury for supplies and restaurants, yet far enough out to feel properly rural. The night sky here is genuinely dark - something increasingly rare in the southeast.