Hollins Wood

A proper woodland walk just outside Stoke-on-Trent, Hollins Wood offers the sort of quiet green space you need when you're camped nearby at Intake Farm or Glencote. It's not dramatic - no waterfalls or rare birds to tick off - but it does what it says on the tin: trees, paths, fresh air.

The wood itself is manageable for families with decent leg strength. You'll find decent footpaths threading through mixed woodland, the sort of place where kids can run ahead without losing sight of you. Walkers will appreciate it as a proper leg-stretcher rather than a stroll, though it's nothing that demands hiking boots. Allow ninety minutes if you're taking it slowly and stopping to let the children examine every fallen branch.

Timing matters here. Go midweek if you can - weekends pull in the local crowd from Stoke. Autumn is when it's worth the trip, when the canopy turns and the light filters through properly golden. Spring's decent too if you don't mind mud.

Free access as far as I can tell, no visitor centre or facilities, so bring what you need. It slots nicely into a longer circuit if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - combine it with a walk around the local lanes and you've got a solid morning sorted. Not somewhere to plan a holiday around, but if you're based in the area for a few days, it's absolutely worth the short drive from your campsite. Better than staring at a caravan site.