Todmorden Sports Centre

The leisure centre in Todmorden sits on the edge of town, a functional modern building that does exactly what it says on the tin - a proper swimming pool without any pretence. There's an indoor pool that's heated and decent-sized, plus they run various classes and sessions throughout the week. Kids can splash about in the shallow end while adults get a lane or two for proper lengths.

It's not a destination in itself, to be honest. You don't drive an hour to Todmorden specifically for the pool. But if you're camping locally - and there are several decent sites within five miles, including Old Chamber Camping and Hebden Bridge Caravan Club - it's genuinely useful on a rainy afternoon or when the kids need burning off energy. A couple of hours sorts that problem out.

The town of Hebden Bridge is just down the road, proper worth exploring in its own right - independent shops, good pubs, the riverside walks. So you could easily combine a damp pool day with an evening wander through the village. Opening hours and prices vary, so ring ahead or check online before you go - that's the only frustration here, they don't advertise clearly. But as part of a wider holiday in the Pennines, this leisure centre does the job it's meant to do. Good changing facilities, reasonable queue times outside school holidays.