Walverden Park

The moorland here opens up properly once you've climbed past the initial woodland fringe - Walverden Park is one of those reserves that rewards a bit of legwork. You get heather, rough grassland, and views across the Pennine slopes that extend for miles when the light's right. It's the kind of place where walkers actually want to spend time rather than tick off and move on.

The reserve sits between Trawden and Glamping, so it slots nicely into a week based at one of the glamping sites nearby - Trawden Forest Glamping is just 3.3 miles away and rates brilliantly. From there you could walk out to Walverden without needing the car, which makes for a proper day out. The terrain's uneven underfoot and exposed, so it's not ideal for young kids or anyone after an easy stroll, but for serious walkers and anyone interested in upland habitats it delivers. You'll spot curlew and lapwing depending on season, and the peat bog itself is quietly fascinating if you know what you're looking at.

Give yourself at least two hours to do it justice - more if you want to cover the full circuit. It's free access, which is another reason it punches above its weight. The wind can be relentless up there, so go prepared. If you're based at Shay Gate Farm Campsite, 4.5 miles south, it's a manageable morning mission before heading somewhere else for lunch.