The Albert Halls

The Albert Halls sits right in the heart of Bury, a proper Victorian theatre that's been putting on shows since the 1870s. It's the kind of place where you walk in and immediately feel the weight of all those decades of performances - creaky wooden seats, ornate plasterwork, the lot. The venue does theatre, comedy, music, pantomime depending on what's on, so what you actually experience depends entirely on when you visit.

It's worth checking their schedule before you book accommodation in the area. Families with kids will find the pantomime season brilliant fun - the kind of show where everyone's shouting at the stage together. Theatre enthusiasts will appreciate the intimate scale of it; you're never too far from the action, which makes a difference. Solo travellers or couples after a proper night out will find decent entertainment most weekends.

Admission and timings vary by show, so you'll need to ring ahead or check what's on before you plan your trip. Allow a couple of hours for the evening, including time to grab a drink beforehand. If you're staying at Burrs Country Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just outside town, it's a straightforward drive in - well within your holiday reach without eating too much into daylight hours.

The theatre's a solid reason to base yourself in Bury rather than overlooking it entirely. Not a "must-do" attraction on its own, but paired with the parks nearby and the town's general appeal, it rounds out a decent break nicely.