The Old Man of Mow

The Old Man of Mow is a gritstone crag that juts out of the Cheshire moorland like something left behind by a giant. It's basically a natural rock formation you can actually scramble up - not a gruelling climb, but a proper little scramble that takes about twenty minutes from the car park near Stoke-on-Trent. The views from the top are decent rather than spectacular, overlooking the moorland and surrounding countryside, which is fine if you're after a quick leg-stretcher with a bit of edge to it.

This works well for walkers who don't want anything too taxing but fancy something more interesting than a flat moorland plod. Kids can manage it, though they'll need a hand in places and you'll want to watch the scramble down. The rock itself is pleasingly weathered and feels genuinely ancient - the sort of spot where you understand why locals have probably been coming for centuries.

There's no entry fee and no faffing about with facilities - just turn up and go. Allow an hour for the walk and scramble if you're not rushing. The moorland setting means it works well as part of a wider walk across Mow Cop or even combined with a visit to one of the nearby caravan parks like Castle Camping or Sky View - both are minutes away. Go on a clear day though, because cloud cover makes the whole thing feel rather less rewarding. Winter's fine too if you don't mind a bit of mud. It's proper straightforward stuff, no pretence, and worth the detour if you're camping nearby.