North Shore Beach

The stretch of sand at North Shore runs proper wide at low tide, which is when you'll actually want to be here. It's the quieter end of Blackpool's seafront - nowhere near the Tower and the prom chaos - so families after a straightforward beach day without the noise will find it refreshing.

You get the usual seaside setup: golden sand, decent waves if you're after a paddle, and the sort of beachfront where you can actually find space to plonk your towel. The promenade behind it has cafes and chip shops if you need feeding, though they're nothing special. Water quality varies depending on weather, so check before you swim rather than assuming it's fine.

It's best visited on a weekday outside summer school holidays - weekends get rammed with day-trippers from Bolton and Manchester. The walk from Blackpool town centre takes about twenty minutes, or park on the promenade itself if you're driving.

For a longer stay, Bowses Hill Farm is just over six miles away and offers glamping and camping - proper proper option if you want countryside but still want the beach within easy reach. North Shore works as a half-day addition to a park break rather than a reason to stay in the area on its own. Worth the visit if you're nearby, but don't expect anything you couldn't find at any other British seaside town.