Abbey Lakes

The water at Abbey Lakes sits quietly on the edge of Skelmersdale, a proper contrast to the town beyond. You're looking at a restored former mining site that's been turned into something genuinely worth stopping for - two lakes connected by a footpath, with woodland backing them and decent views across the water most days.

It's the kind of place where you can spend an hour or three without feeling rushed. The main loop takes you right around both lakes, nothing too demanding underfoot, though it gets muddy after rain. Birdwatchers come here regularly - the reedbeds and quiet stretches pull in all sorts, from herons to the occasional kingfisher if you're lucky and patient. Families with younger kids do well here; the path's straightforward enough, and there's something calming about walking the circuit with water on both sides.

Fishing is allowed if you're into that. The café situation changes, so check before you go if you're banking on a coffee halfway round. Entry's free, which is rare enough these days for a proper recreational space.

If you're based at The Secret Garden Glamping just down the road, Abbey Lakes makes a solid morning or afternoon outing. It's close enough not to eat into your holiday time getting there, but far enough from the glamping site to feel like you've gone somewhere. Worth combining with a walk into Skelmersdale proper if you want to see the town's modern regeneration efforts alongside the countryside. The contrast is quite striking, actually.