Brook Hollows

Twenty minutes outside Burton-on-Trent, Brook Hollows feels properly removed from the everyday - which is saying something given how accessible it actually is. The reserve sits in a valley carved by water over centuries, with steep wooded banks that create a genuine sense of stepping into another landscape. You're walking through native woodland with streams threading through, the kind of place where a casual stroll turns into proper exploration without you meaning it to.

It's excellent for walkers with decent boots. The terrain underfoot varies from leaf litter to muddier sections depending on recent weather, and the paths wind through beech and oak rather than following obvious routes. That said, it's not brutal - more a gentle amble with good visual rewards. You'll spot woodland birds, stream life if you're patient, and the occasional surprise of clearings where light breaks through the canopy.

Families will find it manageable for older kids who can handle uneven ground and don't need constant entertainment. Younger children might find the lack of facilities limiting, and a 30-minute walk is probably the realistic limit before restlessness sets in. History types will appreciate the industrial heritage scattered through - Staffordshire's mining and quarrying past has shaped these hollows, though you won't find plaques explaining everything.

If you're staying at Peake's Retreats nearby, it's a natural half-day activity that doesn't require driving far. Allow 90 minutes to two hours if you're being thorough. Go mid-week if possible; weekends bring Burton's residents out in force.