Staffordshire

Staffordshire runs from the industrial heart of Stoke on Trent, home of the potteries, through busy towns like Stafford, Tamworth and Newcastle under Lyme, to the cathedral city of Lichfield with its handsome close and streets of independent shops. Rugeley and Uttoxeter offer solid market-town life, the latter well known for its racecourse, while Newcastle under Lyme provides a lively base close to Stoke's attractions.

For quieter, greener surroundings, the Staffordshire Moorlands villages come into their own. Leek, with its textile heritage and antique shops, makes a good touring base for the Peak District fringes. Longnor and Cauldon sit amid rolling countryside ideal for walking, while Mow Cop's hilltop folly rewards those who climb up to it with wide views. Church Eaton, tucked away in quiet farmland, suits travellers wanting a slower pace away from the main routes.

Staffordshire's places to stay reflect its mix of market towns, industrial heritage and countryside on the doorstep of the Peak District. Stoke on Trent has the widest range, from straightforward guest houses to hotels aimed at business visitors, while Tamworth and Cannock suit those breaking a journey along the M6 corridor, with familiar names like Premier Inn Rugeley and Travelodge Rugeley covering that need.

For something with more character, Leek and Cheadle offer smaller B&Bs and converted properties such as Tuppenhurst Barn or The Manor Guest House, better suited to exploring the Moorlands and Churnet Valley at a slower pace. Options like Oddfellows On The Park and The Huntsman add a bit more polish for those wanting a proper stopover rather than just a bed for the night.

Staffordshire covers a lot of ground, and its days out reflect that. Lichfield brings the National Memorial Arboretum and its seasonal maze, Stoke on Trent trades on its pottery heritage with places like Pretty Pots Ceramics, and Rugeley's Imagination Station gives families an indoor option away from the weather.

Elsewhere, softplay and activity venues such as Just Giggle and Leaps and Bounds sit alongside more active pursuits like Kidsgrove Ski Centre and the XPVR virtual reality experience, while Cannock and Milford make good bases for days that lean towards the outdoors. Festivals and one-off events, from the Ginger and Spice Festival to smaller local gatherings, add to the mix throughout the year.

With so many options spread across Burton upon Trent, Cheadle, Leek, Stafford and beyond, it's worth deciding whether you want an indoor treat for younger children, a heritage site with real depth, or something more physical, then picking the town that suits.

Staffordshire's dining scene ranges from canalside pubs to city-centre cafes, with Stoke on Trent offering the greatest concentration of restaurants and takeaways, reflecting its size and diverse communities. Burton upon Trent, long associated with brewing, has a strong pub culture alongside its restaurants, while Tamworth and Stone provide solid choices for a market town meal or a quick bite between errands.

Cuisine here spans well beyond the traditional Sunday roast at a country pub like The Knot and Plough. Curry houses such as Crown Of India sit alongside Afghan, Italian and pan-Asian kitchens, and there is no shortage of cafes and casual spots for something simpler. Rugeley and the surrounding villages tend towards cosy pubs, useful for walkers coming off Cannock Chase, whereas the bigger towns offer more variety for an evening out.

Staffordshire's campsites and glamping spots spread from the moorland edges near Leek down to the sandstone country around Enville and Kinver, giving campers a choice between hill walking and gentler riverside ground. Cannock Chase adds another draw, with pitches and pods around Rugeley well placed for its forest trails and heathland.

Options range from simple certificated sites like Stone Wall Farm to fitted-out lodges and pods such as Model Farm Luxury Lodges and Pool House Farm Pods, so a lot depends on whether you want a basic pitch or a proper roof over your head. Farm-based glamping, seen at places like Archie's Barn and Glamping at Holly Grove Farm, tends to suit those after peace and space, while sites nearer Burton upon Trent, Stoke on Trent and Tamworth work well if you also want quick access to the towns.

Staffordshire's self-catering cottages tend to favour converted farm buildings over chocolate-box thatch, and the county is better for it if you want space and a bit of privacy. Offley Grove Farm near Stafford is a good example, with several separate conversions on the same site, from the Shires Stable to the Granary and the Old Brew House, so groups can book neighbouring properties without sharing a roof.

Elsewhere the mix runs from smaller barn conversions such as the Cart Shed and the Old Stables to standalone houses like Fir Tree Cottage and the Old Vicarage. Stoke on Trent's cottages suit anyone combining a stay with the Potteries and its industrial heritage, while those around Stafford give easier access to Cannock Chase and the open countryside beyond. Booking direct with the owner is common practice here, worth bearing in mind when comparing options.