Get away from it all with these top ten destinations near you in the East Midlands

Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life or fancy a relaxing break at a country hotel, the East Midlands has some beautiful destinations to get away from it all.

From the historic market town of Melbourne, in Derbyshire, and its links to Lord Byron and Queen Victoria, to the busy city life of Nottingham and its two Michelin-starred Restaurant Sat Bains, we have taken a look at the top 10 getaways in the area.

With many of the destinations less than an hour's drive from Leicester city centre, what are you waiting for? Get your bags packed and spend some quality time with family and friends.

Newark-on-Trent - 45 minutes

Where to stay: Try the Best Western Deincourt Hotel or the Beaumond Cross Inn which are in the centre of town.

A little further out is the Premier Inn, Kelham House Country Manor Hotel and the Manor Court, which is dark, gothic and thoroughly theatrical.

Where to eat: Plenty of choice with cuisine from around the world including Koinonia Restaurant (Indian), Pastability (Italian), Danube Cafe and Restaurant (central European), Holy Moly (Mexican) and the Vaults Cider and Ale House (British).

What to do: Just two miles south of the town, Newark Air Museum has an impressive collection of aircraft including a fearsome Vulcan bomber.

Newark Castle is a reminder of Newark's turbulent history and the King John exhibition and dungeon tours are both open during the spring and summer months.

The Workhouse at Southwell is also well worth a visit.

Ashbourne - One hour five minutes

Where to stay: There are plenty of holiday parks in and around the market town which includes Sandybrook Country Park which features self-contained lodges and an indoor pool.

Hotels include the Station Hotel, Callow Hall Hotel and there's a Travelodge situated just off the A52.

Where to eat: There's plenty of choice including the Lighthouse Restaurant and the Bowling Green Inn. There's also a plethora of cafes and eateries in the surrounding villages.

What to do: This market town is the perfect base to explore the Dovedale Tissington Trail, Buxton, Cheadle, Matlock, Wirksworth, Ilam and some beautiful villages such as Brailsford and Flash.

Ashbourne Show, which is held at Osmaston Park takes place each August and Quad Nation is just seven miles to the south of the town. Here you can experience off-road quad biking through some of the muddiest terrain in the county.

Nottingham - 45 minutes

Where to stay: In the city centre there is a plethora of big name hotel brands including Roomzzz, Crowne Plaza, Double Tree by Hilton, Mercure, Jurys Inn, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn.

Five miles outside the city, is the AA four star hotel Nottingham Belfry. It boasts a high-tech health club, tranquil spa, indoor swimming pool, a relaxing sauna and steam room and six spa treatment rooms.

Where to eat: Two-Michelin starred restaurant Sat Bains is a real treat if you're fancying something fancy

Prices range from £95 to £130.

There is an abundance of eateries in the city centre with menus from around the world including Maysum Chinese and Asian Buffet

What to do: Catch a show at the Theatre Royal or Concert Hall, or pop along and check out your ice skating skills at the National Ice Centre. Sports fans might also want to catch the horseracing at Nottingham or Southwell courses, or a night at the dogs with a pie and pea supper is a favourite among visitors.

Melbourne - 40 minutes

Where to stay: Harpur's of Melbourne has been decorated for both its accommodation and culinary excellence.

There's also the Coach House which is situated in the heart of the market town, with Melbourne View Hotel just a three minute drive from the centre.

Where to eat: There are plenty of eateries in this town including the Bay Tree, Harpur's of Melbourne and Amalfi White which all serve excellent food in a relaxed environment.

If you fancy spicing it up, Zeerah is also in the centre of town.

What to do: The birthplace of travel pioneer Thomas Cook, Melbourne, in Australia was named after William Lamb, 2 Viscount Melbourne, Queen Victoria's first Prime Minister.

He resided in Melbourne Hall which, although the gardens are open from April to September, the hall is only open in August.

The gardens are probably best-know for the Birdcage and the hall's links with Lady Caroline Lamb and Lord Byron are fascinating.

Staunton Harold Reservoir is just on the doorstep, as is the National Trust's 'Unstately' Home Calke Abbey, and the picturesque village of Ticknall.

Grantham - 55 minutes

Where to stay: Just three miles out of town, Belton Woods Hotel and Spa is surrounded by more than 400 acres of countryside.

More central is the Best Western Angel and Royal, the Avenue Hotel and the Red House.

Where to eat: Much your way around the world with cuisines from India, Italy, Britain, France, America, Portugal and China.

What to do: Recognised as the birthplace of Margaret Roberts later Thatcher Grantham also boasts a famous earlier son whose discoveries and legacy are celebrated worldwide - Sir Isaac Newton.

Both are commemorated in Grantham Museum and Newton's birthplace is just south of the town at Woolsthorpe Manor.

Other local attractions include Belton House, Easton Walled Gardens, Ellys Manor and Belvoir Castle.

Derby - 45 minutes

Where to stay: The Hallmark Hotel Derby Midland oozes character and history and perfect if you are catching a train to the city.

Premier Inn and a Holiday Inn can be found in the centre of Derby, right next to the Intu shopping centre.

Where to eat: Whatever your taste in food, Derby has it all. From Caribbean food served at Turtle Bay, to Thai Tapas at Finale, through to French dining at Pierre Bistrot, the choice is almost endless.

What to do: With a guildhall, theatre, arena, cathedral and numerous museums, if you fancy immersing yourself in a bit of culture, Derby is perfect.

Sporting fans can take a trip to Derby Country's Pride Park to take in a football match.

Loughborough - 25 minutes

A selection of hotels and guest houses to suit all budgets.

Where to eat: The Michelin-starred John's House Restaurant, in Mountsorrel, has a three-course lunch menu priced £49 each.

Food is also available a selection of eateries including the Paget Arms, Plan Burrito, Hammers and Pincers, Eastern Spice and the White Horse.

What to do: You don't have to be a railway buff to enjoy a trip along the Great Central Railway aboard a steam train.

And if you ever wanted to be a train driver there's the chance to take control of a steam engine; it's the stuff of childhood dreams.

Chesterfield - one hour five minutes

Where to stay: There's an Ibis right in the centre of town if you want to be in the mix. If you fancy a bite or AA four star hotel indulgence, just five miles away at Stonedge, is the Peak Edge Hotel at The Red Lion.

Where to eat: Whatever your taste or budget, there's some excellent restaurants and cafes in the town including Three Horseshoes, Einstein's, and Woodheads Cafe. For sushi-lovers O-Tokuda is a must.

What to do: Chesterfield Parish Church may not be an instantly recognisable name, but the Crooked Spire will be. The landmark and the largest church in Derbyshire attracts visitors from around the country.

Chesterfield is also an excellent base to explore Hardwick Hall, Chatsworth, Bakewell, Matlock and the rest of the beautiful Peak District.

Melton Mowbray - 35 minutes

Where to stay: If you fancy total relaxation Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa and Stapleford Park Country House Hotel are popular haunts for those who want to be whisked away from it all.

In the centre of town you will find a Premier Inn, the Quorn Lodge Hotel and the Harboro Hotel.

Where to eat: Without a doubt, a trip to the Leicestershire town wouldn't be complete without treating yourself to a Melton Mowbray pork pie which has gained Protected Geographical Indication status.

Restaurants include Italian restaurants such as Cafe TwentyOne (formerly Amici), Amore, Miss B's Tea Rooms, and, further out of town, the Stilton Cheese Inn.

What to do: The Melton Mowbray Town Heritage Trail is a great introduction to the town which has become renowned for fine food and drink and is most famous for its pork pies and Stilton cheese.

Twinlakes Park offers a great day out for all the family, and the local Carnegie Museum is an interactive centre where children can enjoy learning about the area.

Lincoln - one hour 15 minutes

Where to stay: Less than five miles from the city, Washingborough Hall is a dog-friendly hotel which is ideally situated to explore the Lincolnshire countryside.

Closer to the centre, hotels include the Tower Hotel, the Castle Hotel, the White Hart and Premier Inn.

Where to eat: Situated in a vaulted cellar Hobbsons Restaurant and Pie Shop serves gourmet pies including game and fish.

There's also Bunty's Tea Room and Jews House Restaurant.

What to do: A visit to Lincoln wouldn't be complete without a visit to the cathedral.

When its central spire was eventually raised in 1311, it became the tallest building in the world: taking the mantle from the Great Pyramid of Giza. This lasted until 1549 when the spire collapsed.

The cathedral also owns one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta which was signed in 1215.

The cathedral can be seen in all its glory from the Norman castle which was the original home to the Magna Carta.

There are plenty of free things to do with the family close by including Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum and Whisby Nature Park.