Bury

Two restored cotton mills tell the story of Lancashire's industrial might better than any textbook. Higher Mill and Whitakers' Mill showcase the machinery that once powered Britain's textile empire, complete with working looms and the deafening clatter that defined generations of working lives. The Whitaker museum rounds out the historical picture with local art and social history that brings the past into sharp focus.

Bury sits in the Irwell Valley with proper Lancashire countryside rolling away in all directions. Holden Wood Reservoir makes for a decent walk on a clear day, though it's nothing spectacular. More rewarding are the surrounding peaks like Cowpe Lowe and Tor Hill, where you can stretch your legs and get cracking views across the Pennine foothills.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the East Lancashire Railway runs heritage trains through Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall, which is half the fun if you're bringing the kids. Manchester is 20 minutes down the A56, making Bury an easy escape from city life without the proper remoteness.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Burrs Country Park or Dearden Wood puts you right in the valley landscape. You're close enough for morning trips into Manchester but far enough out to enjoy the moorland air. The peaks of Dearden Moor and Musbury Heights are on your doorstep, perfect for early morning walks before the day trippers arrive.