Devonshire Road Rock Gardens

Just inland from Blackpool's chaos, Devonshire Road Rock Gardens offers something genuinely different - a proper nature reserve where the geology does the talking. You're walking among exposed sandstone outcrops and rocky formations that tell the story of Lancashire's landscape, with paths threading between the stone features and whatever greenery's managed to take hold on the slopes.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to walkers with a genuine interest in geology or local natural history. Kids might find it interesting for an hour or so - there's something inherently appealing about climbing on rocks - but don't expect the thrills of a theme park. Adults after a quieter break from the Blackpool seafront crowds will get more from it.

The gardens work well as a morning detour if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Haven Cala Gran, Broadwater, or Ream Hills are all within four or five miles. It's the kind of stop that takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how thoroughly you want to explore, and it's a decent counterpoint to the amusement arcades and pier walks that dominate the area.

Being a Lancashire nature reserve, it's free to access, though exact opening hours weren't readily confirmed at time of writing. Best visited on a dry day when the paths aren't muddy - these rock formations are striking, but they're also quite exposed to the weather.