Bramshall Road Park, Uttoxeter (including a Skatepark)

Bramshall Road Park sits on the edge of Uttoxeter and manages the neat trick of being two parks rolled into one. The main green space is a proper nature reserve with walking paths that wind through decent stretches of woodland and open grassland - nothing dramatic, but pleasant enough if you're after a quiet morning stroll before heading into town. The real draw for families with teenagers, though, is the skatepark tucked into one corner. It's got enough features to keep decent skaters occupied for a couple of hours without being so massive that novices feel completely out of place.

Walkers will find it useful rather than essential. The reserve itself is compact enough to cover in thirty minutes if you're not dawdling, so it works best as a warm-up walk before or after visiting Uttoxeter's town centre attractions. Families camping nearby at Lane Tree Hideaways or Field Head Farm will find it convenient for burning off energy, especially if you've got kids who can't face another woodland ramble but might fancy watching the skaters do their thing.

The skatepark is the real reason to make the trip if you're not local. There's a mix of street-style obstacles and transitions, and it's genuinely free to use - a proper asset for the area. Go on a weekday afternoon if you want it quieter. Weekends get busier with the skateboarding crowd, which is fine if your kids are that way inclined. Summer's the best bet weather-wise, though the paths here stay usable most of the year.