Plague Stone

Standing beside this weathered stone marker on the moorland outside Leek, you'll find yourself face to face with a grim reminder of 17th-century survival tactics. The Plague Stone marks where villagers would leave coins soaked in vinegar to pay for essential supplies during plague outbreaks, maintaining a safe distance from potentially infected traders.

History buffs will appreciate the stark simplicity of this monument to medieval ingenuity and fear. It's a proper conversation starter - explaining to children how people once believed vinegar could cleanse money of deadly disease makes for a memorable lesson they won't get in any textbook.

The stone itself won't detain you long - ten minutes is plenty to read any information boards and snap a photo. What makes it worthwhile is the walk across the moorland to reach it, with decent views over the Staffordshire countryside on a clear day.

Families staying at nearby sites like Rudyard Vale Caravan Park or Blackshaw Moor will find it makes a good short excursion, especially combined with exploring Leek's market town attractions. The walk's manageable for most ages, though the terrain can be boggy after rain. Come prepared with proper footwear and don't expect facilities - this is raw history in a raw landscape.