Stoke-on-Trent

The pottery kilns went cold decades ago, but this corner of north Staffordshire still carries the weight of industrial heritage in its red-brick streets. You're actually in the outer reaches of Stoke-on-Trent here, where the city proper gives way to proper countryside and the landscape starts lifting towards the Peak District.

Lamber Low and Milk Hill rise from the surrounding farmland like ancient sentinels. These aren't dramatic peaks by Yorkshire standards, but they offer cracking views across the Staffordshire moorlands on clear days. The walking is gentle enough for families, with decent paths threading between the hills.

St Bartholomew's Church anchors the local community, a solid stone affair that's seen generations of potters and farmers through christenings and funerals. The Yew Tree Inn at Cauldon pulls a proper pint and does decent pub grub if you're after something more substantial than a packed lunch.

Brown End Quarry has been reclaimed by nature now - birders rate it for woodland species, and it's a peaceful spot for an afternoon ramble. Waterhouses, just down the road, marks the start of the Manifold Trail if you fancy a longer trek into the Peak District.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A52 cuts right through this patch of Staffordshire, connecting you to both Stoke city centre and the market town of Ashbourne. Manchester Airport is about an hour's drive if you're flying in.

Staying at one of the local camping spots makes perfect sense. You're far enough out to feel properly rural, but close enough to nip into Stoke for supplies or a curry. The Peak District's southern edge beckons just to the east, while the pottery museums and Wedgwood visitor centre are a short drive west.