Recycling lives stadium

Preston's football ground is home to Preston North End, and it's the sort of place that matters properly to the people who live here - even if you're not a diehard fan, there's something worth experiencing about the match day atmosphere. The stadium itself is functional rather than flashy, but on a Saturday when there's a game on, the energy around it is genuine and infectious.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Beacon Fell View is practically on the doorstep at just a mile away - catching a match becomes an easy half-day outing. Football supporters will get the most from a visit, obviously, but families with kids old enough to handle a crowd can soak up the atmosphere without necessarily needing to understand the offside rule. Non-match days the place is quieter, though tours sometimes run depending on the season.

Admission varies wildly depending on whether there's a fixture on. Match tickets range from reasonable to pricey depending on opposition and seating, while stadium tours (if available) are usually a modest fee. Allow a couple of hours for a tour, or longer if you're staying for the match itself - get there early to grab chips and soak it all in.

It fits neatly into a Lancashire park holiday when you want a break from walking trails and countryside. Preston's close enough that Beacon Fell View or Kidsnape Farm become proper bases for exploring both the town and the wider area.