Splash Park Happy Mount

Water sprays, kids shrieking, that particular smell of sunscreen and wet concrete - Splash Park Happy Mount near Carnforth is exactly what it sounds like. You've got ground fountains that shoot up without warning, shallow pools for the littlest ones to paddle about in, and enough wet surfaces to keep children entertained for a solid couple of hours on a warm day.

This is squarely a families-with-young-kids operation. Toddlers and primary school age children will have a proper go at it; teenagers will find it a bit tame unless they're happy to mess about with their younger siblings. The beauty of it is simplicity - no queues, no tickets to juggle, just show up with a change of clothes and let them run around.

Bringing a picnic isn't a bad shout, though I'd check ahead about facilities and whether there's shelter. Lancashire weather being what it is, you'll want somewhere to retreat if it turns. The park sits close enough to Carnforth that you could combine it with a look around town, though I'll be honest - it's not exactly a destination in itself.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Bay View or Crook O'Lune are both within a short drive - this works as a half-day distraction rather than a full day out. Fine for breaking up a rainy spell, but don't restructure your entire week around it.