Adventure Coast Southport

The seafront at Southport comes alive with Adventure Coast, a proper amusement park that delivers the classics - dodgems, log flumes, roller coasters, the lot. It's the sort of place where you spend a day losing money on the arcade machines and coming away with a giant stuffed unicorn you absolutely didn't need. The rides are decent enough without being world-class, and honestly, that's fine. Kids will have a blast here, especially if they're between about five and fourteen. Teenagers might find it a touch tame unless they're after the thrill rides, which do exist but aren't going to compete with Alton Towers.

The best part is the location - right on the promenade means you can drift between the park and Southport's actual beach whenever you fancy a break. Sand, arcades, fish and chips: the holy trinity of British seaside entertainment. You'll want to allow a full day if you're doing it properly, maybe five or six hours minimum if you've got younger kids who tire easily.

Stay nearby at Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - it's barely half a mile away, which means you can potter back for an ice cream without the trek. If you're after something more upmarket, Four Seasons Glamping is only four miles down the road. The park itself works brilliantly as part of a wider Lancashire coast break, especially paired with time on the actual beach. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid afternoon when the weather's decent.