Grange-over-Sands

The train pulls into this genteel Victorian resort town and you immediately sense something different. Gone are the Lake District crowds - instead, Grange-over-Sands feels like stepping back into a more civilised era of seaside holidays. Its promenade stretches elegantly along Morecambe Bay, offering panoramic views across the sands to the Lakeland fells beyond.

This is proper old-school charm. The ornamental gardens are immaculately kept, the bandstand still hosts summer concerts, and the pace of life runs at a refreshing crawl. Walking the prom at sunset, watching wading birds pick across the vast mudflats, feels worlds away from the tourist honeypots further north.

Just a short drive south lies Ulverston, Stan Laurel's birthplace and home to the brilliant Laurel and Hardy Museum. The town's got character - climb Hoad Hill for cracking views, or sample ales at Ulverston Brewing Company. How Barrow and Great Oath Hill offer proper fell walking without the Helvellyn hordes.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the train from Lancaster takes 40 minutes, dropping you right in the heart of town. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're ideally placed for genteel seaside strolls, quick dashes into proper Lake District territory, and exploring the underrated delights of Furness. Plus, the kids can play on Morecambe Bay's endless sands while you enjoy a proper cup of tea overlooking one of England's most dramatic tidal landscapes.