Disused BMX track

The old BMX track near Stoke-on-Trent is basically a time capsule. It's been abandoned for years now, which means you'll find concrete berms weathered smooth, jumps softened by moss, and the whole thing rapidly being reclaimed by nature. The appeal is obvious if you're into that sort of thing - urban explorers love it, and anyone with a bit of nostalgia for 1980s and 90s extreme sports will find it grimly fascinating.

Locally, it's become something of a spot for skaters and BMX riders who either grew up here or are curious about what these tracks looked like in their heyday. Photographers find it moody, especially on grey Staffordshire afternoons. The berms are still there, still rideable if you know what you're doing, though the surface is unpredictable and frankly, sketchy in places. You'll get the most out of it if you're already into boarding or cycling culture - casual visitors might find it a bit underwhelming without that context.

No amenities whatsoever. It's free, unsupervised, and as far as anyone knows, open to the elements whenever you fancy turning up. Allow an hour to poke about and take photos. Winter's probably best when the light's interesting and there's fewer people around. If you're camping at Rudyard Vale or Sky View Caravan Park nearby, it's worth a wet afternoon visit, though don't expect heritage signage or facilities. It's rough around the edges - and that's precisely why some people bother with it at all.