Preston

Rolling farmland stretches as far as the eye can see here, punctuated by clusters of ancient woodland that have somehow survived Lancashire's industrial past. This corner of the county feels properly rural - a world away from Preston's urban sprawl despite being just a short drive from the city centre.

The area's real treasure is its network of forests. Wildgoose Wood Nature Area offers lovely walking trails where you might spot deer at dawn, while Tile Yard Wood and Hellbeck Wood provide deeper woodland rambles. Burns Wood is particularly good for bluebells in spring.

Families gravitate towards The Flower Bowl, which combines theatre shows with their rather excellent crazy golf course. It's one of those places that does what it says on the tin - proper family entertainment without the theme park hysteria.

Stone Cross Garden provides a quieter afternoon, especially if you're into horticulture. The Barton, Bilsborrow & Myerscough War Memorial sits in peaceful surroundings, a reminder of the villages that dot this landscape.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the M6 runs nearby, and Preston's rail links put you within reach of Manchester and the Lake District. But it's the sense of space that draws people. After a day exploring Duckett's Wood or Fox Covert Wood, returning to a holiday park feels like the natural choice. The accommodation options range from traditional touring pitches to glamping pods, giving you a proper base for exploring this surprisingly wooded corner of Lancashire.