Mill Pond Plantation

The woodland at Mill Pond Plantation spreads across decent acreage just outside Ashbourne, offering a proper escape if you're staying at Hartington Hills and fancy a walk without heading too far afield. It's the sort of place where you can potter about for an hour or three depending on mood - mixed forest with the usual suspects: oak, beech, a bit of evergreen. The pond itself is the main feature, reasonably peaceful and the kind of spot where you might actually see something interesting if you're quiet enough.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not challenging terrain or spectacular in any obvious way, but that's rather the point. If you're after dramatic vistas or a social media moment, look elsewhere. If you want a gentle forest amble where you can hear yourself think, this does the job. The woodland floor can be muddy after rain - proper bog in places - so come prepared. No facilities to speak of from what I can gather, so don't rely on finding a café.

Best visited midweek if possible. Weekends can draw the casual visitors and dog walkers, which rather defeats the peace-and-quiet appeal. The light through the trees is particularly good in early morning or late afternoon. It slots nicely into a broader ramble of the wider Staffordshire countryside, though on its own it's more filler than the main event. Worth the detour if you're in the area and have transport - less essential if you're without a car.