Fleetwood

Trawlers bob in the harbour while seagulls wheel overhead - this is Lancashire's northernmost fishing port, where the Irish Sea meets the Fylde Peninsula. Fleetwood still works for a living, with its Victorian docks handling cargo and fish catches just as they have for over a century. The town feels refreshingly real compared to Blackpool's glitz down the coast.

Wander along the seafront and you'll find the Fylde Coast Shipwreck Memorial, a sobering reminder of the dangerous waters these fishermen navigate. The harbour area is fascinating for a proper nose around, especially when the boats come in with their catch. Beyond the working port, Cleveleys stretches south with its own quieter charms and decent shops along the high street.

Fleetwood's position makes it brilliant for exploring the wider Fylde Coast. You're minutes from Thornton Cleveleys' beaches and a short drive from the Forest of Bowland's rolling hills. The nearby tramline connects you straight to Blackpool if you fancy the full seaside experience, but most visitors prefer Fleetwood's more authentic maritime atmosphere.

Getting here is straightforward - the M55 brings you in from Preston and the motorway network, while regular trains run to nearby Poulton-le-Fylde. Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the area gives you easy access to both the coast and Lancashire's countryside without the crowds you'll find further south.