Tranquil Hill

For messing about on the water, the river Severn is about a quarter of an hour's drive from base. Watersports like canoeing, paddleboarding and kayaking are on offer here, or you can simply wander along riverside walks in search of a picnic spot in peaceful green surrounds. There are lots of historic attractions in the local area too, with highlights including National Trust-managed Attingham Park (20 minutes), an ornate 18th-century estate, and Ironbridge Gorge (25 minutes), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with museums about the area's industrial heritage. Open-air attractions aren't in short supply either: there's Blists Hill Victorian Town close to Ironbridge if you want to experience 19th century life, while Acton Scott Historic Working Farm (25 minutes) can fill you in on rural history with its hands-on activities. A visit to Shropshire's county town of Shrewsbury (half an hour) is another must – the castle, riverboat cruises and walks through the town's riverfront parks all make for a very agreeable day out. Similar simple pleasures await in Ludlow (40 minutes), where there's also a castle, riverside trails and historic bridges to investigate.