Croxall Lakes

Two reservoirs separated by a narrow strip of land - that's Croxall Lakes in a nutshell, and it's genuinely worth the drive from Burton-on-Trent if you're after a proper walk with actual payoff. The water's dark and still, ringed by woodland that shifts colour depending on the season. You'll spot cormorants, grebes, the occasional heron. Birdwatchers make pilgrimages here; casual walkers find themselves staying longer than planned.

The circuit is manageable - roughly three miles if you do both lakes - but doesn't feel rushed or tame. Paths are decent enough, though muddy patches are inevitable after rain. What makes it work is the sense of proper countryside without needing a map and a degree in orienteering. The lakes themselves aren't dramatic - no cliff-edge drama - but there's something absorbing about the quietness.

It's free to visit and open to the public year-round, though spring and autumn are when the birdlife really justifies the visit. Allow two to three hours if you're stopping to actually look at things. Kingfisher Holiday Park sits just over three miles away, so it slots nicely into a longer Staffordshire break without feeling like you're chasing every tourist attraction in sight.

Families with older kids will do fine here. The little ones might fidget unless they're genuinely into spotting ducks. Photographers should come early - light's better, and you'll have the place to yourself.