Camping Strandhaus Sonsfeld

If spending time wandering city streets appeals, this is a particularly well-placed site. The closest city is Oberhausen (half an hour’s drive away) where there’s an aquarium to explore, and an indoor Legoland Discovery Centre provides the building blocks for a top-notch hol. The indoor ski slope in Bottrop is 40 minutes away, as is the city’s impressive tetrahedron sculpture, with climbs of the latter leading to some pretty views over the countryside.

More traditional city experiences can be had in Essen 50 minutes from the site, with museums to learn in, a mansion to be envious of, botanic gardens to stroll about and (of course) plenty of shopping to do.

City days don’t all have to take place in the present either – LVR-Römermuseum (on the site of the old Roman city of Colonia Uldia Traiana), Germany’s largest archaeological open-air museum, is less than half an hour from base and a must-visit for history buffs keen on seeing reconstructed amphitheatres and temples, experiencing life in ancient times, and watching plenty of re-enactments and shows.

Got kids in tow? Make tracks first for Bocholt, 25 minutes away, where the indoor waterpark will keep them entertained (and grownups can treat themselves to spa days), then to Kernie’s Wunderland (15 minutes) to spin around rides and zoom along rollercoasters. Budding zoologists might prefer days among the animals, so make sure Biotopwildpark Anholter Schweiz (15 minutes) and Kleve zoo (half an hour) are on the list.