Congleton Edge

The walk up to Congleton Edge is steep - properly steep - and you'll know about it in your calves by the time you reach the top. But the effort pays off. This nature reserve sits above the town with views that stretch across the Staffordshire moorlands, and on a clear day you can see why people have been coming here for centuries.

It's heathland and woodland mixed together, the sort of place where you notice things: gorse in flower, the particular way light filters through the birch trees, buzzards circling overhead. The reserve itself is free to access and you can spend anywhere from an hour to half a day depending on how many of the paths you fancy exploring. Early morning is best if you want any peace - by afternoon it fills with local walkers and dog owners.

Families with older kids will find it rewarding, though younger ones might grumble about the climb. History types should know this was mined for coal, which shapes what grows here now. The moorland plants have adapted to poor soil, which is part of what makes it interesting from an ecological standpoint.

Stay at one of the nearby parks - Avona Escapes or Yellowstone are both highly rated and within striking distance - and you can incorporate this into a broader exploration of the area around Stoke-on-Trent. It's not a destination in itself, but paired with other walks in the region, it's time well spent. The view from the top justifies the walk up.