Alcombe House

The clatter of Birmingham is close enough to reach in minutes, but here at Alcombe House you wake to birdsong and the quiet rustle of suburban greenery — a rare pocket of calm just beyond the city's hum.

This is one for couples after a cosy pod stay within striking distance of the Second City, or travellers who prefer a proper room and a guest house welcome over canvas. The camping pods offer a middle ground between indoors and out, while the guest house rooms give you a full B&B experience. Dogs may be welcome — best to ask when you book. It's an unusual setup that works if you want easy access to Birmingham's museums, markets and curry houses without sleeping in the thick of it all.

Year-round opening means it suits winter breakers as much as summer explorers. Campfires are worth checking about on arrival if you're in a pod and hoping for an evening flame. The vibe is low-key and functional — a comfortable overnight base rather than a destination in itself.