Fenton Park

A proper Victorian park on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent, Fenton Park doesn't shout about itself but it's well worth a wander if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan sites. The main draw here is the lake - peaceful enough for a sit-down with a coffee, pretty enough to photograph without feeling like you're forcing it.

You'll find the usual park fixtures: tree-lined paths, open grassland, and enough benches scattered about that you won't be standing long. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which is saying something for the Potteries area. The Victorian bones are still visible if you know what you're looking for - the layout, the planted borders, the sense that this was once someone's grand idea.

Really, this is a spot for a gentle hour or so rather than an all-day affair. Families with young kids will appreciate the space to let them run about; walkers heading from Stoke-on-Trent towards the surrounding countryside often pass through here. If you're after dramatic vistas or adventure playgrounds, you'll be disappointed. But if you want somewhere green and quiet to decompress between pottery factory visits or while based at Luzlow Caravan Site or Glamping at Holly Grove Farm nearby, it does the job.

No entry fee that we're aware of - just turn up. Go when the light's decent; early morning or late afternoon suits it best.