Silloth Green

The flat expanse of Silloth Green rolls out toward the Solway Firth with a kind of windswept honesty. This isn't dramatic - there's no mountain backdrop or turquoise lake - but it works precisely because of that. The green itself is a proper swathe of open grassland that feels genuinely wild, especially when the wind picks up off the water. You can walk for miles across it, spot wading birds if you're lucky, and actually hear yourself think.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to walkers and nature types rather than families wanting theme park thrills. The bonus is that standing out here, you've got views across to Scotland on clear days, and the emptiness is refreshing - you won't battle crowds on the path. Allow a couple of hours if you want a proper wander; an hour if you're just stretching your legs.

As a base for exploring Cumbria's west coast, it sits perfectly near Wigton. If you're already staying at Stanwix Park Holiday Centre (just half a mile away) or Solway Holiday Park, the green becomes your morning stroll before breakfast. North Lakes Country Park, three miles inland, offers more structured activities if the family needs a change of pace, but Silloth Green itself won't keep small children entertained for long. It's brilliant, though, if you want a bit of solitude and proper coastal air without the cream teas and gift shops.