Stone Beach

The pebbles here are exactly what you'd expect from Lancashire's industrial heritage - all smooth river stones and no sand in sight. Stone Beach near Bury isn't your classic seaside postcard, but there's something rather satisfying about it if you're staying at Burrs Country Park and fancy a walk that doesn't involve moorland.

It's a working riverbank rather than a proper beach, mind you. The River Irwell runs through here and the banks are lined with that distinctive shale and stone that gives the place its name. You won't be spreading a towel and settling in for the day, but a decent forty-minute walk along the water's edge is perfectly pleasant, especially if the weather's behaving. The path runs fairly level and you get glimpses of the old mills - Bury's textile past is written all over this landscape.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit bleak compared to actual seaside, but walkers will appreciate the straightforward terrain and local character. Birdwatchers sometimes spot herons and kingfishers if you're quiet and patient. It's free to access and works well as part of a broader afternoon exploring the area around the Country Park.

Go for the walk rather than the "beach experience" and you won't be disappointed. Time it for late afternoon when the light catches the water properly and the crowds thin out. It's real Lancashire, not postcard Lancashire.