Peasley Bank

The walk up Peasley Bank rewards you with views across Staffordshire that stretch properly far on a clear day. It's not a mountain - more of a substantial hill climb north of Stafford - but it does the job if you're after some elevation gain without the full day commitment of anything higher up the county.

You'll find it's a straightforward ramble, the kind of walk that locals know and use for a quick leg-stretch rather than a destination in itself. The paths are well-trodden and accessible enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the climb a bit of a slog. Most people allow an hour or so for the up and down, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

What makes it work is that it slots nicely into a broader walking trip around the area. You're close enough to Stafford town for refueling, and if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Stable Park Holiday Park is just three and a half miles away, with Fledgling Farm or Ladybirch Motorhome Park not much further - it's an easy addition to your itinerary.

The real appeal? It's genuine countryside rather than a tourist trap. No admission fees, no cafés fighting for your attention, just a proper Staffordshire hillside. Go on a weekday morning if you want it to yourself, and bring decent boots - it can get muddy after rain. Worth doing once if you're in the area, though it won't change your life.