Clifton Country Park

The River Irwell winds through Clifton Country Park with the sort of quiet determination you'd expect from a Lancashire waterway. It's not dramatic - no gorges or waterfalls - but there's something genuinely restful about walking these 100-odd acres on the outskirts of Bury.

You get proper woodland here, the kind where you can actually lose yourself for a bit despite being minutes from town. There are paths alongside the river, open grassland if you want to let the kids run about, and enough trees to make it feel properly countryside. Birdwatchers do well out of it - you'll spot ducks and herons pottering about if you're quiet.

It's the sort of park that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick 20-minute loop. Give yourself a couple of hours if you want to see the whole thing without rushing. The ground can get boggy after rain, so decent boots aren't optional.

For families based at Burrs Country Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, this makes an excellent half-day outing. Kids won't be bored if they're the type who actually like walking and spotting wildlife - though there's no playground or café, so plan ahead. Walkers will appreciate the flat terrain and the absence of crowds you often get at the more famous Lancashire beauty spots.

It's free, thankfully. Open access to the public, no daft restrictions. Just turn up and enjoy it.