Sneyd Hill

You won't find queues or coaches at Sneyd Hill, which is rather the point. It's a modest peak on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent that locals clearly know and love, offering proper views across the Potteries if you catch the light right. The walk up takes about twenty minutes from the nearest car parking, and it's straightforward enough for families without being a trudge. Once you're there, you get a sense of real Staffordshire - industrial heritage mixing with green space, chimneys punctuating the horizon alongside trees.

For walkers using the area's caravan sites as a base - Luzlow Caravan Site is closest at just over three miles away, with Glamping at Holly Grove Farm offering something cosier if you prefer a bed without wheels - Sneyd Hill makes a cracking half-day outing. It's not the sort of place that demands hours, but it rewards you if you go on a clear day. Bring a packed lunch and sit up top looking out over Stoke. The views aren't dramatic in a Lake District way, but there's something honest about them. Kids will enjoy the walk if they're any good on their feet, though teenagers might find it a touch underwhelming compared to bigger peaks. Peak season doesn't really apply here - you'll likely have the place to yourself whatever time of year you visit, which feels like a luxury these days. Free to access, no facilities on site, so plan accordingly.