Cottage Wood

A proper woodland walk on the edge of Stafford, Cottage Wood delivers the sort of forest ramble that clears your head without requiring a sat nav to find your way out. The woodland isn't vast - you can loop through it in under an hour - but it's the kind of place where you actually notice things: twisted roots, patches of bluebells if you time it right, the occasional flash of wildlife if you keep quiet.

It works best for families with children old enough to enjoy a gentle stroll without complaining every five minutes. The paths are manageable, though muddy patches are guaranteed after rain. Walkers after a quick leg-stretch between A and B will find it satisfying. History buffs won't find much to get excited about unless ancient woodlands do it for you.

There's no charge as far as anyone can tell, and you can spend as little as thirty minutes or amble for a couple of hours depending on which trails you fancy. Spring and autumn are the obvious picks - summer can feel a bit oppressive under the canopy, and winter's fine if you don't mind the gloom.

If you're staying at High Onn Holiday Park or Oakland Holiday Park, both within a few miles, Cottage Wood works as a morning diversion before heading elsewhere. It's not the sort of place that justifies a dedicated trip on its own, but it's absolutely worth twenty minutes if you're in the area.