Carnforth

Steam trains still chuff into this Lancashire railway town, though the romance of Brief Encounter feels a world away from today's Carnforth. The station featured in David Lean's wartime classic, and you can still grab a cuppa in the refreshment room where Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard conducted their doomed affair.

Beyond the railway heritage, Carnforth sits perfectly positioned for serious fell walking. The Yorkshire Dales rise dramatically to the east - White Scar Cave near Ingleton offers underground adventure when the weather turns, while the peaks of Round Hill and Great Harlow promise proper hiking with cracking views across Morecambe Bay.

Ingleton makes for a lovely day out, just a short drive through limestone country. The village clusters around its War Memorial, with Pecca Falls providing one of the area's most photographed waterfalls. Bit of a trek to reach the best viewpoints, but well worth the effort.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the West Coast Main Line puts Carnforth on the map between Lancaster and the Lakes. The M6 runs close by too, making it dead convenient for accessing both the Dales and Lake District.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies, but wake up surrounded by proper countryside. Several glamping options have popped up recently, offering a comfortable base for exploring everything from Roman ruins at Galacum fort to the dramatic gorge at Baxenghyll.