Roost Hill

Standing at 1,220 feet above sea level, this modest Staffordshire peak won't challenge serious hikers but delivers surprisingly good views across the Churnet Valley. The summit sits just outside the Peak District proper, though you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise given the rolling moorland that stretches in every direction.

Walkers with basic fitness will find the ascent manageable - it's more of a steady plod than a proper climb. From the top, you can pick out Stoke-on-Trent's urban sprawl to the southwest and, on clear days, the Pennines rising to the north. The view's hardly spectacular, but it's pleasant enough for a morning's exercise.

Families staying at nearby sites like Rudyard Vale Caravan Park or Blackshaw Moor will appreciate having a proper walk within easy reach. Kids might grumble about the uphill slog, but the sheep scattered across the slopes usually provide enough entertainment. Allow two hours for the round trip if you're taking it steady.

It's free to wander, naturally, and accessible year-round though the exposed summit can be properly windy in winter. Best combined with a visit to the Churnet Valley Railway or Rudyard Lake rather than treated as a destination in its own right. A decent leg-stretcher, nothing more.