Leek Tunnel Pool

The water here is surprisingly clear, and on a decent day you'll understand why locals rate this spot. Leek Tunnel Pool sits just outside Leek town, a modest but proper little reservoir that's caught between being genuinely useful and genuinely nice to look at. It's the sort of place where you'll see folk with fishing rods, walkers doing the circuit, and families chucking stones because, well, that's what you do at water.

What makes it work is the walking. The path around the pool is manageable - not a gruelling hike, but enough of a stride to feel like you've done something. Views open up as you go, and the water reflects back whatever the sky's throwing at it. On grey days it's moody; on sunny ones it's genuinely pretty. The tunnel itself - the historic bit that gives the place its name - runs beneath the pool and dates back to the 1830s, part of the water supply infrastructure that shaped the area. You won't see much of it from the top, but knowing it's there adds a bit of character.

Families get decent value from an hour here if the kids are old enough to walk without constant complaining. Younger ones might lose interest faster. Anglers, though - they'll happily spend half the day. The nearby caravan parks at Glencote and Rudyard Vale make this an easy add-on to a wider Staffordshire trip. Free to visit, no faffing about with opening hours. Go early if you want solitude, or mid-afternoon if you fancy a bit of company.