Air Pulse

Air Pulse is a rather obscure piece of Staffordshire's industrial heritage, located near Rugeley. Without current opening information readily available, tracking it down requires a bit of detective work - which is precisely why many visitors bypass it entirely. The site itself relates to the area's manufacturing past, when this corner of the West Midlands was thick with works and engineering concerns.

Getting specifics proves tricky. There's no obvious visitor centre, no gift shop, no café laying on cake and tea. You'll need to do your homework before heading out, as the site isn't the sort of place you'll stumble upon and find everything laid on. That said, industrial archaeology enthusiasts and anyone seriously interested in the region's working heritage will find it worth investigating.

If you're camped at one of the nearby sites - Cannock Chase Camping Club is closest at 4.4 miles - Air Pulse makes a reasonable afternoon detour during a longer Staffordshire break. It's not a full-day destination, mind you. Expect an hour at most, less if there's limited access.

Rugeley itself is worth knowing about, a proper market town with decent pubs and a decent high street. The wider Cannock Chase area offers far more in terms of walks and attractions, so position Air Pulse as a specialist curiosity rather than a main event. Worth the petrol if you're already in the area and history buffs are in your party; easily skippable otherwise.