Fleetwood

Trams still clatter down the promenade here, a proper throwback to seaside holidays of old. Fleetwood sits at the very tip of the Fylde Peninsula, where the River Wyre meets the Irish Sea - and it's got that end-of-the-line feel that makes it oddly compelling.

The town's working fishing port gives it genuine grit. No candy floss pretensions here. You'll find proper fish and chips by the harbour, where trawlers still bring in fresh catches daily. The lighthouse dominates the seafront, a Grade II listed beacon that's been guiding vessels home since 1840.

Christ Church Thornton offers a slice of Victorian grandeur if you fancy some architectural appreciation. More compelling is Pheasant Wood, a nature reserve that provides welcome green respite from all that sea air and industrial heritage. The woodland trails are particularly lovely in spring when the bluebells emerge.

From Fleetwood, Blackpool's bright lights are just down the coast - easily reached by tram along the famous promenade route. The journey itself is half the fun, rattling past Cleveleys and Bispham with the sea on one side and dunes on the other.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The town sits at the end of the A585, about 40 minutes north of Preston. Regular trains run from Manchester via Preston, though the tram from Blackpool might be more entertaining.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're positioned for proper exploration of the Fylde coast - Blackpool's attractions are on your doorstep, while quieter stretches of Lancashire coastline stretch north towards Morecambe Bay. Plus you'll appreciate having somewhere peaceful to retreat after a day battling Blackpool's crowds.