Hanging Stone

The rock formation itself is barely twenty metres high, but there's something about Hanging Stone that stops you dead. It juts out from the moorland near Macclesfield like a giant's thumb, and once you've clocked it, you can't look away. The stone hangs over its base in a way that feels properly precarious - hence the name, though it's been sitting there for millennia without dropping.

It's not a major expedition. You can reach it from the moorland paths that crisscross this part of Staffordshire without any serious scrambling, though the approach terrain is rough enough that proper boots are a good idea. Most people allow half an hour to get there and back from the nearest car parking, plus time to stand about taking photos and trying to work out why it hasn't fallen down yet.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's a proper moorland walk rather than a stroll, and the views across the Peak District foothills while you're up there make the effort worthwhile. Not really a draw for young kids unless they're keen on rocks and hiking - there's no visitor centre or facilities, just the stone and the landscape.

Several caravan parks sit within easy reach if you're basing yourself locally. Rudyard Vale Caravan Park and Leek Camping are both roughly five miles away, putting you well within range for exploring the wider moorland. Best visited on a clear day when you can actually see the landscape spreading out beneath you.