Fred Dibnah

Fred Dibnah's chimney-climbing days are long gone, but his former home and workshop in Bury still feel genuinely lived-in - stuffed with the man's considerable collection of steam engines, vintage machinery and the kind of debris that accumulates when you spend a lifetime restoring industrial relics. Walking around, you get a real sense of who he was: obsessive, clever, utterly fearless on scaffolding and completely committed to preserving Britain's industrial past before it all got knocked down.

You'll spend a good hour or two here if you're into mechanical things or Victorian engineering. The workshops are the real draw - cramped, cluttered spaces where Dibnah actually worked, with tools scattered about and half-finished projects gathering dust. The chimney outside is the famous one he used to climb on telly, and yes, it's genuinely tall and genuinely alarming to look up at.

This is one for engineers, history types and anyone who remembers his documentaries. Kids might find it a bit dry unless they're already fascinated by steam power and industrial heritage. Admission details aren't entirely clear online, so ring ahead before you visit.

Burrs Country Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits just five or six miles away near Bury town centre, making it a logical base if you're combining this with other Lancashire attractions. The site itself is well-regarded for what it is - decent facilities and close enough to town without feeling urban.