Ranton Abbey

The ruins of this 12th-century priory sit quietly in the Staffordshire countryside just outside Stafford, and there's something rather moving about stumbling upon what's left - a few stone walls and archways poking through the grass where monks once went about their daily routines. You can wander the site freely, picking out the layout of the church and residential buildings from the footprint of rubble and earth mounds. The scale is modest compared to bigger abbeys elsewhere, which actually works in its favour. It feels intimate rather than overwhelming.

History enthusiasts will find themselves properly absorbed here, mentally reconstructing the medieval community that thrived here until Henry VIII's dissolution put an end to it all. For families, it's the sort of place that works best if someone in the group is genuinely interested in archaeology or medieval life - younger kids might exhaust themselves in about half an hour unless they're keen on climbing over stones and imagining stories. There are no facilities on site, so come prepared.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though you'll want to check locally with Stafford tourist information before making the trip. Allow an hour to properly explore and take photographs. It pairs well with a base at one of the nearby parks - Copper Beech Glamping is just two miles away and gives you easy access to both the abbey and the wider Staffordshire countryside. Early morning or late afternoon light works best for photography; the site sits exposed, so come prepared for wind.