Preston

Cotton mills and civic pride built this Lancashire town, though these days Preston feels more like a place people pass through than linger in. The city centre has that familiar post-industrial mix of chain stores and empty units, with the odd Victorian gem like the Harris Museum reminding you of grander times. But venture out to the surrounding Fylde coast and you'll find proper seaside charm.

Lytham St Annes, just a short drive west, is where things get interesting. The Victorian resort has kept more of its dignity than Blackpool up the coast. Lytham Green stretches right to the seafront, a proper expanse of grass where the annual club day still draws crowds. The Old Lytham Lifeboat House tells the story of the town's fishing heritage, while Lytham Windmill stands white and imposing against the sky.

Walk along to Lytham Jetty and you'll understand why this stretch of coast has drawn visitors for over a century. The views across the Ribble Estuary take in everything from the Lake District fells to Blackpool Tower on a clear day. Lytham Heritage Centre fills in the historical gaps if you fancy a proper browse.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The M55 runs straight from the M6 to the coast, and Preston's well-connected by rail from Manchester and London. Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the Fylde means you can explore both the seaside and venture inland to the Forest of Bowland when the mood takes you. The coast here doesn't have Blackpool's razzmatazz, but that's rather the point.