Blackpool

Fish and chips on the Golden Mile, slot machines pinging away, and the unmistakable whiff of donkey rides - Blackpool remains Britain's most unashamedly brash seaside resort. This isn't gentrified Cornwall or refined Brighton. It's proper working-class holidays with candy floss, kiss-me-quick hats, and the Big One roller coaster that still makes your stomach lurch after all these years.

The Tower dominates everything, obviously. But venture beyond the Promenade and you'll find quieter spots like Lowther Gardens, where families spread out picnics away from the madness. Fairhaven Golf Club offers respite for those who've had enough of the arcades, while Witch Wood provides surprisingly good walking just minutes from the seafront chaos.

Blackpool works precisely because it doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. The illuminations still draw millions each autumn. The piers creak with decades of stories. And yes, the shops along the Golden Mile sell exactly the same tat they did forty years ago.

Getting here couldn't be easier - direct trains from Manchester and Liverpool, plus the M55 drops you practically on the Promenade. Haven Marton Mere Holiday Village and Ribby Hall Village both offer family-friendly bases within easy reach of the action, while smaller sites like Primrose Bank Holiday Park suit those wanting something quieter after a day on the beach.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get the best of both worlds - easy access to Blackpool's famous mayhem when you fancy it, plus peaceful evenings away from the crowds when you've had your fill of roller coasters and rock.