Sholver community park

Just outside Greenfield in Lancashire, Sholver Community Park sits at the foot of the Pennines as a proper local hangout rather than a destination you'll find plastered across Instagram. It's the sort of place where dog walkers outnumber tourists and that's precisely the appeal.

The park offers open grassland with decent walking routes through the surrounding moorland - nothing too strenuous, but enough to justify calling it a proper outing. There's a small children's play area that keeps younger kids occupied for a solid hour, picnic benches scattered about, and views across the valley that remind you why people settle in these parts. On a clear day you can see proper far.

Walkers will get the most from this one. The moorland terrain around Sholver connects to bigger trails heading up towards the high peaks, so you can easily extend a quick visit into a proper afternoon trek. History types might find the landscape itself interesting - this is old textile country, though you won't find many plaques or interpretive boards telling you about it.

It's free and open access, which means you can roll up any time. Early morning or late afternoon beats mid-day when it gets a bit busier with families. Allow two to three hours if you're doing a walk, or just thirty minutes if you're parking up for a breather.

If you're staying at nearby Dovestone Holiday Park, Sholver is basically on your doorstep - makes for an easy addition to a Lancashire break without needing to venture far. Don't expect facilities beyond the basics, but that's rather the point.