Compared to some places, personally I find Stapleford quite good!
Far worse are, for example, Sywell or Elstree.
But in principle, I agree. In an ideal world, a circuit should allow you to glide to the runway from pretty much anywhere on downwind or base, with a fighting chance crosswind. I get fed up of airfields where I join the circuit, and lose sight of the airfield whilst maintaining positioning with the aircraft in front!
Apart from anything else, it costs too damned much money.
G