Hare Hill

The woodland at Hare Hill near Crewe isn't what you'd call dramatic, but it grows on you. This nature reserve spreads across 42 acres of mixed woodland and grassland, the sort of place where you actually spot things if you're paying attention - woodland birds, insects, the occasional deer if you're lucky enough. There's a decent walking network threading through, nothing too demanding. Most people can knock out the main circuit in an hour or so without breaking a sweat.

It's genuinely worth a visit if you're into birds or simply fancy a proper walk away from the roar of the A534. The grassland areas attract butterflies and day-flying moths in summer, which is a reasonable draw if you've got kids who might actually look at insects rather than just run straight past them. Photography types tend to do well here too - the light filtering through the canopy is genuinely nice, especially in autumn.

Admission is free, which is the right price for what amounts to a straightforward nature reserve. Spring and early summer are your best bets - things are actually happening rather than just existing. Bring binoculars if you've got them; this isn't a place for expecting the wildlife to come to you. If you're staying at Sunny Side Touring Park six miles away, this makes a solid morning's outing before heading back for lunch. Not transformative, but a solid green space that does what it says on the tin.