Carnforth

Steam trains and Brief Encounter - that's what most people know about this Lancashire market town, thanks to Carnforth Station's starring role in the 1945 film. But there's more to this corner of the county than Celia Johnson's romantic drama.

The town sits at a proper crossroads, where the West Coast Main Line meets the Furness railway, making it a hub for both steam enthusiasts and walkers heading into the surrounding fells. Carnforth Station Heritage Centre still draws crowds who fancy a cup of tea in the refreshment room where those famous scenes were shot.

Beyond the railway romance, you're perfectly placed for exploring some cracking countryside. Pike Gill Wood and Hunt's Gill Wood offer lovely walks just outside town, while the peaks of Con Hill and Galley Hill provide proper views across Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells. It's not dramatic hiking - more gentle rambles through ancient woodland like High Grasses Wood and Cant Foot Wood.

For something grander, Hornby Castle sits a short drive north, its medieval towers rising above the Lune Valley. The surrounding forests - Thomlinson Lot, Tithe Barn Plantation, and the twin Cockshotts Woods - are brilliant for quiet afternoon strolls away from any crowds.

Getting here is dead easy by train, with regular services from Lancaster and beyond. The M6 passes close by too, making it accessible by car from Manchester or the Lakes.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get the best of both worlds - easy access to Carnforth's heritage attractions and the surrounding countryside, plus you're within striking distance of both Morecambe Bay and the southern Lakes for day trips.