Newhouse Wood

Twenty minutes from Stoke-on-Trent sits a proper woodland that locals seem to have kept to themselves. Newhouse Wood sprawls across rolling Staffordshire countryside, offering the sort of peaceful ramble that clears your head after too many hours on the M6.

Families will find it brilliant for wearing out energetic children - the paths wind through mixed woodland with enough fallen logs and interesting trees to keep little ones occupied for a good hour or two. Dog walkers love it here too, though you'll want to keep leads handy as the woodland edges onto farmland.

The beauty lies in its ordinariness. No fancy visitor centres or marked trails, just genuine English woodland where you can hear birdsong instead of traffic. Bluebells carpet the forest floor in spring, making it well worth timing a visit for late April or early May.

If you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Intake Farm Campsite or Hales Hall, this makes a lovely morning expedition before heading to Alton Towers. The wood provides that gentle countryside fix between theme park thrills. Pack a thermos - there are several clearings perfect for an impromptu picnic, and the kids can burn off energy while you actually finish a cup of tea in peace.