Preston Marina

The waterfront at Preston has been transformed over the past couple of decades, and the marina is the centerpiece of that revival. You've got moored boats, a proper promenade to walk along, and cafes where you can actually sit down and watch the water without feeling like you're in a car park. It's the kind of place that works best on a decent day - wind it up and there's not much to hold your attention, but catch it right and it's a pleasant hour's stroll.

Walkers and cyclists use it as a route through the city rather than a destination in itself, which tells you something. Families with younger kids might manage forty minutes before everyone gets restless. The restaurants and bars lining the waterfront are the real draw - grab a coffee, watch the boats, and you've got your evening sorted. No admission charge, obviously.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Smithills View or Brylea are both within a couple of miles - this beats sitting in a field watching the rain. It's particularly good in summer when things are actually open and the weather cooperates. The walk into central Preston is straightforward from here too, so you're not entirely trapped by the waterfront if the marina gets dull. It's functional more than magical, but it does what it sets out to do.