The Tank Toposcope

You'll find this brass toposcope mounted on high ground near Blackburn, and it's one of those proper old-school viewpoint markers that actually works. Point the thing in any direction and it tells you what you're looking at across the Lancashire landscape - churches, hills, distant towns, the lot. It's free to use and takes about ten minutes to have a proper fiddle with, though if you're the type who likes identifying every fell and valley, you could spend longer.

Historyworthy types and walkers get the most from this. It's the kind of stop you make mid-ramble rather than a destination in itself, but on a clear day the vista across North West England justifies the effort. Families with older kids might enjoy the treasure-hunt aspect of spotting named landmarks, though younger ones will lose interest fast.

It works well as a break point if you're staying at Northwood Caravan & Holiday Park or Dale Hey Farm Touring Caravan Site nearby. Both are within easy driving distance, and the toposcope sits on accessible high ground without being a slog to reach. Worth timing your visit for late afternoon when the light's better for seeing across the valleys. The prevailing weather here is proper Lancashire - bring a windproof even on decent-looking days.