Ramshaw Rocks

Climbing up from the moor road south of Leek, these dramatic gritstone outcrops rear up like ancient monuments against the Staffordshire sky. The rocks themselves are properly impressive - weathered into fantastic shapes that children will immediately start spotting faces and animals in. It's the sort of place that makes you understand why our ancestors thought such formations were magical.

Walkers get the best deal here. The scramble to the top takes about twenty minutes of moderate effort, rewarding you with sweeping views across the Peak District moorlands. On clear days you can pick out Kinder Scout and Bleaklow in the distance. The rocks are popular with climbers too, though most visitors are content to explore the easier routes around the base.

Families with older children will love it - there's something thrilling about clambering over these ancient stones. Younger kids might find the terrain a bit challenging, and it's definitely not buggy-friendly. The site is free to explore and accessible year-round, though winter conditions can make the paths treacherous.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks around Leek, Ramshaw Rocks makes for a proper half-day adventure. Longnor Wood Holiday Park and the various campsites around Blackshaw Moor put you right on the doorstep of this geological wonder. Pack a thermos and make a morning of it.