Witney

Mill wheels once turned along the River Windrush here, powering the blanket trade that made this Cotswolds market town prosperous. These days Witney moves at a gentler pace, its honey-coloured stone buildings and wide High Street giving it a proper lived-in feel rather than the tourist-trap polish of nearby Chipping Norton.

The town sits in that sweet spot between Oxford's dreaming spires - just 12 miles east - and the rolling Cotswold hills. It's got enough going on to keep you busy without feeling overwhelming. The weekly Thursday market still draws locals from surrounding villages, and the pubs do a decent trade year-round.

Family entertainment comes courtesy of Millets Farm Centre, where the kids can get their hands dirty with farm animals before tackling the seasonal Millets Maize Maze. More adventurous types might fancy a round at Frilford Heath Golf Course, though it's a fair challenge even for seasoned players.

Nature lovers shouldn't miss the commons around nearby Appleton - both Upper and Lower offer lovely walks through ancient woodland. Dahlia Beach might sound tropical, but it's actually a peaceful nature reserve perfect for birdwatching.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A40 whisks you from Oxford in twenty minutes, while regular buses connect to smaller villages. There's decent parking in the town centre, though it fills up on market days.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense. You're close enough for evening strolls into town yet surrounded by proper countryside. Oxford's colleges and the Cotswolds' picture-postcard villages are all within easy striking distance.