Bushbury Hill

The walk up Bushbury Hill takes about twenty minutes from Stafford town centre, which is refreshing when you're used to attractions requiring a proper drive. It's not a dramatic summit - the trig point sits at a modest 156 metres - but the views across Staffordshire farmland reward the effort without demanding fell boots or a packed lunch.

You get proper 360-degree views from the top. On a clear day you can pick out the Pennines to the north and the Cotswolds away south. It's the kind of place locals escape to for an hour, and there's rarely a queue. The walk itself is straightforward, mostly footpaths through fields with a few gentle inclines that won't knacker young kids. Families will manage it easily.

What makes it worthwhile is the quiet. There's no gift shop, no viewing platform, no entrance fee - just a hill with a view and space to breathe. If you're staying at Oakland Holiday Park five miles away, it's worth considering as a morning outing before heading elsewhere. Don't expect drama though. This is Staffordshire gentle, not Lake District grand. You're paying in time and leg work rather than money, which feels fair. Bring a thermos if you've got one. The summit gets breezy, especially in autumn.