Stoke-on-Trent

The smoking chimneys that once defined this corner of Staffordshire still dot the skyline, but today's Stoke-on-Trent tells a different story. The pottery capital of England has reinvented itself without losing its gritty industrial soul, and the surrounding North Staffordshire countryside offers proper walking territory that most visitors miss entirely.

National Trust's Biddulph Grange Garden sits just a few miles northeast - one of Victorian England's most ambitious garden projects, with themed areas that feel like stepping between different countries. The adjacent Biddulph Grange Country Park extends the greenery with well-marked trails through former quarry land.

Knypersley Reservoir makes for a lovely afternoon walk, especially when the light catches the water just right. From here, you can tackle Marshes Hill - not exactly a mountain, but the views across the Staffordshire Moorlands are well worth the modest climb. High Bent offers another decent ramble if you fancy exploring further.

Stoke itself is straightforward to reach by train from Manchester or Birmingham, with regular services throughout the day. The M6 puts you within striking distance of the Peak District to the east, while the quieter Staffordshire countryside rolls away to the west. It's proper walking country once you get beyond the urban sprawl.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the area makes perfect sense for exploring both the industrial heritage sites in town and the surprisingly good countryside that surrounds it. You're close enough to nip into Stoke for a pottery factory tour or museum visit, but far enough out to wake up to birdsong rather than traffic. The positioning works particularly well if you're planning day trips into the southern Peak District - it's all within easy driving distance without the premium prices you'd pay closer to Buxton or Bakewell.