Canal foot beach

The Canal foot beach sits right where the water meets the shore, just outside Grange-over-Sands. It's one of those spots that works best if you're already in the area rather than a destination in itself, but it's a proper pleasant way to spend an hour or so if you're camped at Old Park Wood or Willow Tree Holiday Park nearby.

What you get here is access to the water's edge with decent views across Morecambe Bay. On a clear day it's genuinely lovely - the sort of place where you can actually see across to the fells and get a sense of the landscape. The beach itself is the kind you'd walk along with a dog rather than spread a towel on, but that's half the appeal. There's a gentle, unpretentious feel to it that beats the overcrowded bits further down the coast.

For families with young kids, it's worth a quick visit but don't expect them to be entertained for hours. Walkers, though, will find it a natural stop on a longer route around the bay. Bring proper shoes - the foreshore can be muddy depending on the tide. The nearest facilities are back in Grange-over-Sands, so plan accordingly. If you're staying at Haven Lakeland Leisure Park or any of the caravan sites within a few miles, it's the sort of local spot worth exploring on an afternoon when the weather's decent. Free to access and no time limit - just turn up.