Bunbury Hill

Standing 350 metres above sea level, this modest peak offers surprisingly good views across the Staffordshire moorlands without requiring a proper mountain expedition. The walk up from the nearest car park takes about 20 minutes through typical moorland terrain - nothing too challenging but you'll want decent shoes if it's been wet.

From the summit, you can see across to the Pennines on clear days, with Stoke-on-Trent spread out below to the east. It's not dramatic in the Lake District sense, but there's something rather satisfying about having a proper vantage point in what's otherwise fairly flat countryside around these parts.

Families with older children will manage the walk fine, though toddlers might find it a bit much. Keen walkers often use Bunbury Hill as part of longer routes across the moors, but it works perfectly well as a standalone hour-long outing.

The hill makes a decent addition to a holiday at one of the nearby parks like Quarry Walk Park or Alton camping site. After a day at Alton Towers, a gentle evening walk up here provides a nice change of pace. Weather can change quickly on the exposed summit, so pack a jacket even if it looks fine when you set off from Stoke.