Pointon Park

Pointon Park is a proper nature reserve just outside Leek, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's woodland and open grassland mixed together - nothing dramatically showy, but that's rather the point. You get decent walking trails through the trees, and the reserve attracts birds and small mammals if you're into that sort of thing. Bring binoculars and a bird book, or just wander about looking at whatever takes your fancy.

It works well for families who don't need everything to be a theme park experience. Kids will manage an hour or so poking about in the undergrowth, and there's enough space to let them run around without constantly losing sight of them. Less suited to pushchair users unless the paths are properly maintained - worth checking before you visit. History buffs won't find much here, and it's not the sort of spot for dramatic views or Instagram moments.

If you're camping at one of the nearby sites - Glencote or Intake Farm are closest at under three miles away - Pointon Park makes a decent morning outing. It pairs nicely with a walk down to Leek itself, which has proper shops and cafes to refuel afterwards. Rudyard Vale Caravan Park, further afield at five miles, is worth considering too if you want a slightly larger base with more facilities.

Go early morning or late afternoon if you can. That's when you'll actually spot wildlife rather than just footprints. Admission details aren't entirely clear, so ring ahead before making the trip.