Merryton Low

Standing at 1,893 feet above sea level, this unsung peak offers proper Peak District views without the crowds you'll find on Kinder Scout or Bleaklow. The walk up from the Roaches road isn't particularly taxing - about 45 minutes of steady going through moorland that feels wonderfully remote despite being just a few miles from Leek.

Keep walkers will appreciate the sense of genuine solitude here. On a clear day, the panorama stretches across Staffordshire and into the White Peak, though the summit itself is a bit of a false friend - there's no dramatic rocky outcrop, just a gentle rounded top marked by a modest cairn.

Families with older children who don't mind a proper walk will find it manageable, but this isn't one for pushchairs or anyone expecting facilities. The terrain can be boggy after rain, so decent boots are essential. Allow two to three hours for the round trip, including time to properly take in the views.

It works brilliantly as part of a longer Peak District stay. Several holiday parks sit within easy reach - Longnor Wood Holiday Park and Leek Camping and Caravanning Club Site both make decent bases for exploring this quieter corner of the national park. The beauty of Merryton Low is precisely that it doesn't try too hard to impress - it simply delivers honest fell walking in beautiful, undramatic countryside.