Queen Elizabeth II Park View Playing Fields

You'll find this playing fields and nature reserve just outside Preston, a proper local spot rather than a tourist destination. It's the kind of place where you actually see people using it - dog walkers, families kicking a ball about, the odd runner doing laps. The reserve itself has open grassland and some planted areas that attract birds and the occasional interesting insect, depending on the season.

It works best for anyone staying at the nearby caravan parks - Sea View, Pipers Height, or Manor House Glamping are all within three miles - as a straightforward outdoor space to stretch your legs between longer outings. Kids won't be captivated for hours, but a walk round takes the edge off restless energy, and there's enough green space that you're not feeling hemmed in. The playing fields mean it can get busy on weekends during football season, so if peace matters to you, aim for a weekday.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so come prepared. It's free to access and you can spend as little as half an hour or potter about for longer depending on what you've got on. The real appeal is that it's genuine, unglamorous Lancashire countryside - no Instagram moments, just actual open air. Good for breaking up a caravan holiday, less useful if you're planning your trip around it.