West Plantation

You won't find queues or entrance fees at West Plantation - it's simply a working forest near Shifnal where you can walk amongst the trees without fuss. The woodland sits on decent tracks that wind through mixed plantings, giving you proper shelter when the Staffordshire drizzle arrives, which it will.

This is straightforward stuff. It's good for families who want to stretch legs without navigating map contours, and dog walkers absolutely love it. The paths are manageable for buggies too, though you'll want sensible shoes after rain. Woodpeckers and various woodland birds make appearances if you're patient. There's no café, no facilities really - bring a thermos if you want hot tea.

Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on how far you fancy going. The forest isn't enormous, so you won't get lost. It's the sort of place that's lovely on a cool autumn morning when you've got time to kill before checkout, or a quick reset if you've spent too long in a holiday cottage.

If you're staying at High Onn Holiday Park or Oakland Holiday Park, both within five miles, this makes a solid half-day addition to your itinerary. It won't be the highlight of your trip, but it's uncomplicated woodland walking that delivers what it promises - trees, air, and quiet. Go when the weather's reasonable and expect nothing more than a decent forest ramble.