Stoke-on-Trent

The potteries might have given way to trendy studios and craft shops, but this corner of Staffordshire still wears its industrial heritage proudly. Stoke-on-Trent sprawls across six towns that merged into one fascinating urban landscape, where Victorian bottle kilns poke through modern developments like ceramic monuments.

Wander beyond the city centre and you'll find proper countryside waiting. The Walk offers elevated views across the Staffordshire moorlands - a decent hike that rewards with sweeping panoramas of rolling hills and scattered farmland. Block Wood provides a gentler ramble through ancient woodland, where footpaths wind between oak and beech trees that predate the pottery boom.

This isn't chocolate-box England, but it has character in spades. The M6 runs close by, making it easily accessible from Manchester or Birmingham in under two hours. Local buses connect the various town centres, though having a car opens up the surrounding Peak District fringe.

Camping here makes perfect sense for exploring both urban heritage and rural escapes. Several sites dot the countryside around Alton and beyond, offering everything from basic pitches to luxury glamping pods. You're well-placed for day trips into Derbyshire's limestone dales or quick urban fixes in nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme. The pottery museums and factory shops provide rainy day alternatives, while country pubs serve proper Staffordshire oatcakes - a local delicacy that's worth trying at least once during your stay.