Steel Heath

Steel Heath is one of those places that sneaks up on you - a sprawling moorland landscape in Cheshire that doesn't announce itself with fanfare or entrance fees. It's genuinely open access, which means you can wander whenever you fancy, and that's rather brilliant for a spontaneous afternoon ramble.

What you get here is proper heathland, the kind that used to cover much more of England before everything got built on or planted with conifers. The terrain rolls gently, dotted with low vegetation and scrub, offering wide views across the Cheshire countryside. It's not dramatic in the way the Peak District is, but there's something oddly compelling about the openness of it. Walkers will find plenty of scope for circular routes, and the paths are generally good underfoot. The nearby Whitchurch makes a sensible stop for fuel afterwards.

This works particularly well if you're based at one of the caravan parks within a few miles - Bramblewood is just two miles away, making it an easy morning expedition. Families with younger kids might find it a bit lacking in destination appeal; there's no tea room or playground, just landscape. But for those who enjoy proper walking and don't mind a bit of wind and weather, it's entirely worthwhile. Allow a couple of hours for a decent circuit, longer if you're the dawdling type.

Best visited outside peak summer weekends when the space feels genuinely quiet. Bring sturdy boots - it can get boggy in places.