3 Castle View Caravan Park

The view from 3 Castle View Caravan Park in Carnforth is the whole point of staying here - and the name tells you exactly what you're getting. From the park, you look straight across at Lancaster Castle, a proper medieval fortress that dominates the skyline from this vantage point. It's the kind of vista that makes you understand why someone planted a caravan park right here.

This is working caravan accommodation rather than a visitor attraction in the traditional sense, so you're looking at this as a base for exploring Lancashire's coast and countryside, not somewhere you'd pop in for an hour. The castle itself is in Lancaster town centre, about three miles away if you fancy a closer look - you can walk around the grounds or join a tour of the interior depending on what appeals.

The real draw for families is the combination: you've got the Morecambe Bay coastline within striking distance, the Forest of Bowland inland, and towns like Carnforth itself on the doorstep. Hidden Hills and Wonderland Retreats offer something more upmarket if glamping appeals, but if you want traditional caravan living with that castle view as your reward, this is honest value. The flat Lancashire plain means you'll see that fortress from your pitch on clear days, which frankly beats another view of a car park.

Bring binoculars if you're into architecture - the castle's worth studying from distance even if you don't venture into town. Worth the stay if you're basing yourself in this corner of the North West for a week.