Burton upon Trent

Burton upon Trent has always been a working town, and its places to stay reflect that. There's a solid run of dependable, no-fuss options for people passing through on business or heading to nearby attractions: Premier Inn Burton on Trent Central and Premier Inn Burton on Trent East, along with the Holiday Inn Express, cover the practical end of things, while Lichfield Hotels - Amber House offers something a little more independent in feel.

For a change of pace, Dovecliff Hall Hotel sits away from the town centre in its own grounds, and Dog & Partridge by Chef & Brewer Collection combines a country inn feel with proper rooms to stay in. The Hilton at St George's Park is on a different scale altogether, built around the England football team's training complex, and the Three Queens Hotel gives you a base right in the middle of town. If you'd rather be under canvas, Peake's Retreats is the one campsite in the area, a quieter alternative to the hotels.

Burton's identity is tied up with brewing, and that history is still visible if you know where to look, though the town has broadened out well beyond it. The National Memorial Arboretum draws visitors from well outside the area, and Claymills Victorian Pumping Station is a genuine piece of Victorian engineering worth seeing. Families tend to gravitate towards the National Forest Adventure Farm, Woodland Adventure Golf, and Clip 'n Climb, while Branston Water Park offers a more open-air, walk-it-off kind of afternoon. Cineworld and Meadowside Leisure Centre round out the options for an evening or a rainy day.

Altogether, Burton upon Trent works well as a base that doesn't ask you to choose between convenience and character. Stay centrally if you want to walk to dinner, head out to Dovecliff Hall or Dog & Partridge if you'd rather come back to somewhere quieter, and build your days around whichever mix of history, family activities and food suits the visit.