I have fond memories of Kynpersley Country Park, just to the north east of Stoke on Trent, though I moved on many years ago. Although its only a stone's throw from some pretty grotty bits of Stoke you've left the town behind and the park is set around tranquil reservoirs and woods. Nuthatch, woodpeckers, pied flycatchers, g c grebe, kingfisher, dippers,
Fly Agaric, stinkhorns, gritstone outcrops, fabulous autumn colours, and some interesting local history too. You're also close to the source of the Trent.