Penkridge Leisure Centre

The leisure centre in Penkridge is the sort of place that won't win any architecture awards, but if you've got restless kids or you fancy a swim without driving into Stafford town centre, it does the job. It's a proper community hub - the kind where locals have their regular slot in the pool and the café staff know everyone's names.

You'll find the standard fare here: indoor swimming pool, gym equipment, sports halls where everything from badminton to basketball gets a look in. The pool is the main draw, especially on school holidays when it gets rammed with families. Fair warning: it's not glamorous, but the water's warm and the changing facilities are clean enough.

If you're staying at Pillaton Hall Farm just up the road, or further out at Oakland Holiday Park, this is handy for burning off energy on a rainy afternoon. It's maybe a forty-minute stop rather than a full day out, depending on what you do. Phone ahead to check the session times and whether you need to book - these places change their schedules more often than the weather in the Midlands.

Most practical for families with younger kids who just want a splash about, or if you're genuinely into your fitness and want somewhere local to your accommodation. Don't expect an aqua park experience. It's functional, accessible from Stafford, and it's there when you need it.