Northwood

The woods around Northwood, just outside Brewood, are proper Staffordshire - ancient oaks, dense undergrowth, and that peculiar quiet you only get in working forests. It's not a manicured country estate attraction with gift shops and tea rooms. It's woodland as it is, which means it can feel a bit rough around the edges if you're expecting Forestry Commission polish.

Walkers will find genuine appeal here. The canopy's thick enough to keep you cool even on warm days, and there are decent paths threading through if you know where to look. You're looking at anything from a quick 20-minute stroll to a proper two-hour ramble depending on what you fancy. Families with older kids who can handle muddy boots will get on fine; toddlers in buggies might struggle on the rougher stretches.

What makes it work for a park holiday is proximity. Oakland Holiday Park sits barely a mile away, so you can pop over for a morning walk without loading the car. High Onn Holiday Park, three and a half miles north, is also close enough for an afternoon venture. It's the sort of place you visit when you want air and trees without driving half an hour - genuine woodland rather than a tourist experience.

No entry fees that I'm aware of, no opening hours to worry about. Just turn up, mind the muddy patches, and don't expect signage or facilities. That's rather the point.