RSPB Coombes Valley

The Coombes Valley is one of Staffordshire's proper birding hotspots, run by the RSPB and worth the drive from Stoke-on-Trent if you've got binoculars and patience in equal measure. You're walking through mixed woodland and moorland where redstarts, pied flycatchers and wood warblers actually turn up - not just in the guidebook but in front of you, if you're lucky and quiet. The reserve spreads across steep-sided valleys with well-marked trails that'll take anywhere from an hour to half a day depending on how seriously you take the birdwatching.

Admission is free, which is decent given what's on offer. Early mornings in spring and early summer are when you'll see the most action - late May through June is absolutely the time to go. The terrain's hilly enough that it's not ideal for very small kids, but older children keen on nature will find it absorbing rather than tiresome. You're not looking at dramatic viewpoints or heritage buildings here; this is pure conservation work you can actually walk through and experience.

Stay at one of the nearby campsites - Glencote or Intake Farm are close enough to be convenient - and you've got a proper countryside base for exploring the Staffordshire moorlands. Pair it with walking elsewhere in the Peak District foothills nearby. The reserve operates year-round, though winter's quieter for birds and decidedly wetter underfoot. Bring decent waterproofs whatever the season.