Badgers Hill

Climbing through the heather and bracken of Cannock Chase, you'll find yourself on one of Staffordshire's lesser-known high points. Badgers Hill sits quietly among the rolling landscape near Rugeley, offering panoramic views across the chase without the crowds you'd get at more famous peaks. The walk up is gentle enough for most families, though the final approach gets a bit boggy after rain.

From the summit, you can see clear across to the Wrekin on a good day, with Stafford spread out in the valley below. It's proper countryside up here - all gorse and birdsong, with the odd mountain biker whizzing past on the bridleways.

Families staying at nearby holiday parks like Chase Camping at Tackeroo or Silver Trees will find this makes a cracking half-day walk. The kids might moan about the uphill bit, but they'll love scrambling about on the rocky outcrops at the top. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip from any of the chase car parks.

Best visited on a clear morning when the light's good for photos. The hill forms part of the wider Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so you can easily combine it with other walks through the ancient woodland. It's free, it's always open, and it's well worth the detour if you're exploring this corner of the Midlands.