We visit a refreshing village on the Staffordshire border steeped in Royal history and found some of the country's finest countryside walks

What makes Bishops Wood special is more than just its scenic surroundings - although the rolling fields, winding lanes, and fresh air certainly play their part.

The village also carries a quiet thread of national history within its landscape. Following the turmoil of the English Civil War, the future king Charles II is said to have passed through this region during his dramatic escape in 1651.

Local tradition connects the area to the famous tale of the oak tree - echoing the story of the Royal Oak at nearby Boscobel House - where he hid to evade capture. These stories, woven into the fabric of the surrounding countryside, lend Bishops Wood a sense of living history, and the village pub is named 'The Royal Oak' to honour the tale.

While my stay in the village was not particularly lengthy I quickly realised Bishops Wood's charm is rooted in simplicity. There is clearly a rhythm to daily life here - dog walkers setting out early, cyclists passing through leafy lanes, and the comforting familiarity of local routines.

It felt like the kind of place that long-time residents and newcomers alike find it easy to belong, and a chat with a resident who moved to the village more than three decades ago confirmed as much.

"The community here is what has kept me around for 37 years," Chris Dee said. "My dad was a farmer and I've always wanted to live out in the countryside, because I'm not a city person.

"We moved down here from Wigan for my husband's job and we came across this place which was definitely the best that we found, and we've really enjoyed our time here.

"There is the village hall and the pub which is nice, and there are lots of lovely walks. It's nice that you can just walk out of your door and see the countryside, and you don't have to get in your car to go for a walk."

Another local added: "A lot of the neighbours know each other by name here. You can go out for a walk and more often than not it will turn into a chat with someone.

"I think there is a real community spirit here and there does always seem to be something for people to talk about together. We obviously don't have a busy high street or anything like that but the countryside is on our doorstep and I think there's a shared pride in where we live."

It is not hard to see why the picturesque setting is at the top of everyone's list of things they like most about the village. Whether it is a peaceful morning walk, a sunset over open fields, or the simple pleasure of birdsong in the background, Bishops Wood offers a daily reminder of how calming rural life can be.

While life in the West Midlands can feel increasingly rushed and crowded, Bishops Wood stands as a gentle counterpoint.

It is a place where life is lived a little more slowly, and feels like a real throwback to how life used to be. If the sun is out and you are looking for a place to enjoy a walk through the West Midlands countryside, Bishops Wood is the place for you.