Chinky Park

Chinky Park sits just outside Stoke-on-Trent in Cheshire, a local leisure spot that punches above its weight if you're camping or caravanning in the area. It's the sort of place that doesn't shout about itself, which means you'll often have it fairly quiet - a real bonus when you're after a bit of peace during a park holiday.

What you get here is straightforward outdoor recreation. Walking trails wind through the grounds, there's room to spread out, and it's the kind of spot where kids can actually run about without annoying everyone else. The park itself is well-maintained, with decent facilities for those staying at Castle Camping, Sky View Caravan Park, or any of the other bases dotted within a few miles.

Timing-wise, aim for weekdays if you can. Weekends pull in families from the Stoke conurbation, which does change the atmosphere a bit. Summer months are obviously better unless you're into mud and drizzle.

The main draw? It's honest value. Free to enter, no faffing about with entry fees, and genuinely useful if you're based at one of the nearby caravan sites for a week. You won't spend all day here - two, maybe three hours tops - but it works perfectly as a morning outing before heading to somewhere like Rudyard Lake or further afield. Don't expect theme park thrills; this is about fresh air and letting the kids burn off energy before teatime.