Giant Axe

You'll spot the Giant Axe long before you arrive - a proper statement piece looming over the Lune Valley near Carnforth. It's an enormous bronze sculpture of a woodman's axe, the kind of thing that makes you do a double-take from the road and wonder what on earth inspired it.

This is axe-throwing territory, essentially. The attraction lets you have a go at the sport yourself, hurling axes at wooden targets under instruction. It's the sort of activity that sounds daft until you're actually stood there, concentrating hard, trying to make your throw stick. Takes about an hour to get through a session, and it's genuinely absorbing - nothing like swinging a sledgehammer into an old tyre.

Families with teenagers will find it entertaining, though younger kids might struggle with the coordination and attention span required. Solo visitors and groups of mates seem to make up most of the crowd. Check their website or ring ahead for session times and pricing, as these places vary wildly on cost and availability.

It works well as a quirky addition to a park holiday - Crook O'Lune Holiday Park is just over three miles away, and you could easily tack this onto a day exploring the nearby countryside. Bay View Holiday Park, a bit further out, sits closer to Morecambe Bay if you want a broader base.

Worth the detour? If you're already in the area staying at one of the local parks, absolutely. Don't travel specially though.