Grange-over-Sands

The Victorian railway brought elegance to this Morecambe Bay resort town, and it's never quite shaken off that genteel atmosphere. Ornate promenades stretch along the seafront, where elderly couples take their constitutional while herring gulls wheel overhead. The bay itself is notorious for its shifting sands and incoming tides - proper Lawrence of Arabia stuff when the light catches it right.

Grange works best as a staging post rather than a destination. The real action lies inland at Cartmel, where you'll find both the medieval priory and Cartmel Racecourse - the latter draws proper crowds for its May and August meetings. Unsworth's Yard Brewery does a decent pint if you fancy sampling local ales, while the various war memorials around Flookburgh and Cartmel speak to the area's quieter moments of reflection.

Trains still call at Kents Bank Station, connecting you to the Furness line that curves around the coast. It's a lovely journey, especially when the tide's in and the bay gleams like hammered pewel. The surrounding countryside rolls away towards the southern Lakes, all green fields and limestone walls.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area makes perfect sense. Places like Newby Bridge Country Caravan Park and Hill of Oaks give you easy access to both the coast and the fells, while avoiding Grange's slightly sleepy pace. The town's better for afternoon tea than late-night revelry, frankly. But as a base for exploring this corner of Westmorland and Furness? It's hard to beat.