Softlow Wood

The woodland around Softlow, just outside Uttoxeter, is proper walking country. Ancient oaks and beech create a canopy thick enough to keep you dry in all but the heaviest downpour, and the tracks wind through enough variation that you won't feel like you're trudging the same path twice.

It's the kind of place where you go to actually walk, rather than tick off Instagram shots. Dog walkers dominate the place - and with good reason. The terrain is gentle enough for a casual hour's ramble but interesting enough that you won't feel like you're killing time before lunch. Children who can manage uneven ground and the odd muddy patch will find plenty to occupy them, though it's not a destination in itself if they need constant stimulation.

There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no paid parking that I could find - it's just woodland. Bring proper boots, especially after rain, because the ground gets waterlogged fast. An hour to ninety minutes works well; any longer and the appeal starts to thin.

If you're based at one of the touring parks nearby - Lower Micklin is closest at just over three miles - this makes a solid morning out. It pairs well with Uttoxeter town for lunch, or you could combine it with a walk across to the Staffordshire moorlands if you've got the energy. Don't expect drama or grandeur. Just honest woodland walking.