The Neville-Barry Grove

The Neville-Barry Grove sits just outside Burton-on-Trent, a fairly understated historic site that doesn't trumpet itself very loudly. It's essentially a collection of veteran trees and associated grounds with genuine historical bones - the sort of place you'll either find genuinely moving or walk round in twenty minutes flat depending on your tolerance for tree-spotting.

What you're actually looking at is a grove with some proper old specimens, the kind that require a second glance to clock just how ancient they are. History enthusiasts will appreciate the connection to local heritage, though the site doesn't exactly fling information at you. It's more of a quiet wander than a full-on attraction with interpretation boards and facilities.

Families with young children might find it a bit thin on entertainment - there's not much to do beyond strolling about and pointing at old timber. But if you've got walkers in the group or someone who gets genuinely interested in arboreal history, it's worth the detour from Burton itself. The real value comes if you're basing yourself at Kingfisher Holiday Park nearby, which sits just a couple of miles off. Use it as a between-things walk rather than a destination in itself.

Go in decent weather because there's no shelter, and allow thirty minutes unless you're really keen on dendrology. Free admission appears standard for these heritage sites, though best to ring ahead given the limited information around.