Rolleston Waterfall

Water crashes down a modest drop near Burton-on-Trent, and on a wet day the sound carries through the Staffordshire woodland properly loudly. Rolleston Waterfall isn't some dramatic plunge - it's more of a vigorous cascade where the stream takes a tumble, but after heavy rain it's genuinely impressive and worth the short walk to reach it.

The falls sit in a small gorge with trees pressing in on both sides, which gives the whole thing a sense of drama even though the drop itself is nothing earth-shattering. Walkers using the local footpaths tend to stumble across it rather than make a pilgrimage, and that's rather the point. You're looking at a 15-minute amble from the nearest road access, through proper woodland where you might spot kingfishers if you're lucky.

It's free, naturally - just park sensibly and follow the path. The ground gets slippery near the base after rain, so decent boots are the sensible choice. Kids enjoy the scramble to see it, though there's nothing to actually do once you're there bar stand and stare. Forty minutes start to finish, including the walk back.

If you're staying at Peake's Retreats nearby, it makes a cracking morning outing before lunch. Combine it with a walk along the River Dove if you want to string together a proper half-day route. Don't expect a destination attraction - treat it as a pleasant detour if you're already exploring the footpaths in the area.