Radbroke Barn B&B

The scent of woodsmoke drifts across the yard on a winter morning, and you realise this is camping with a proper roof when the rain comes in sideways.

Radbroke Barn suits those who want the flexibility of camping without committing to canvas — pitch up in your campervan, bed down in a cosy pod, or take a motel room if the forecast's properly grim. It's a practical base in Knutsford country, where the Cheshire Plain rolls gently toward market towns and canal-side pubs. Dog walkers should ask ahead about bringing four-legged friends along, and it's open year-round, so you can escape here whatever the season throws at you.

Facilities aren't showy, but the essentials are covered. Check about campfires when you arrive — there's something quietly brilliant about a fire under a clear sky, even in a yard. The vibe here is unpretentious and flexible: turn up, settle in, explore the nearby countryside or just hunker down with a brew when the weather turns.