Glacial Boulder

Standing alone in a field near Stafford, this enormous granite boulder looks completely out of place in the Staffordshire countryside. The rock was carried here during the last Ice Age, dumped when glaciers retreated around 10,000 years ago - a proper geological oddity that's travelled hundreds of miles from its Scottish origins.

Geology enthusiasts will find it fascinating, though most visitors might wonder what the fuss is about. It's basically a very large stone in a field. Still, there's something quite moving about touching a piece of ancient Scotland that's been sitting here since our ancestors were hunter-gatherers.

Families staying at nearby Chase Camping at Tackeroo or Silver Trees Holiday Park might find it worth a quick detour, especially if you're already exploring Cannock Chase. Kids can clamber about on it safely enough, and it makes for an unusual photo opportunity.

The boulder sits on public land so there's no admission fee, though parking can be tricky depending on where you approach from. Twenty minutes is plenty unless you're genuinely interested in glacial geology. Best combined with a longer walk in the area rather than treated as a destination in itself - it's more of a curiosity than a proper attraction, really.