Rugeley

The power station might be gone, but this former mining town has found new purpose as the gateway to some of Staffordshire's finest countryside. Rugeley sits on the edge of Cannock Chase, that magnificent stretch of heathland and woodland that feels like a world away from the Midlands' industrial heritage. The town itself is honest about what it offers - a proper working community with decent shops and pubs, nothing fancy but nothing pretentious either.

Cannock Chase is the real draw here. The Birches Valley Forest Centre serves as your jumping-off point into the forest, where mountain bikers tear down purpose-built trails and dog walkers disappear for hours among the birches and oaks. Head up to Hednesford Hills for views that stretch across three counties on a clear day. The raceway up there hosts everything from stock cars to banger racing - proper Saturday night entertainment.

Those after quieter pursuits should make for the pools scattered across the landscape. Fairoak Pools and Stony Brook Pools offer decent fishing, while the Old Brickworks Nature Reserve shows how nature reclaims industrial sites given half a chance. It's a 20-minute walk from the town centre, well worth the trek.

Connections are solid - Rugeley's on the West Coast Main Line, putting Birmingham 40 minutes away and London under two hours. The M6 runs close by if you're driving. Basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense when you want to explore the Chase properly. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies but far enough out to hear nightjars calling come dusk.