Poulton-le-Fylde

Market towns don't get much more understated than this. Poulton-le-Fylde sits quietly in the Fylde countryside, a proper Lancashire town where the cobbled market square still hosts traders on Mondays and the old coaching inns tell stories of centuries past. It's the sort of place where you can park easily and actually hear birdsong over traffic noise.

The town centre revolves around its medieval market square, complete with stocks that once held miscreants. Georgian and Victorian buildings line the streets, housing independent shops that haven't been swallowed by chain stores. Ball Street and Blackpool Old Road offer decent browsing without the crowds you'd find closer to the coast.

Four miles from Blackpool's madness, Poulton feels like a different world entirely. The River Wyre meanders through the surrounding farmland, creating walking routes that stretch towards Fleetwood and the coast. On clear days you can see the Lake District fells from higher ground - quite something when you're this close to major seaside resorts.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The M55 drops you practically on the doorstep, while Poulton-le-Fylde railway station connects directly to Preston and Manchester. It's a 20-minute drive to Lancaster, making day trips to the historic city perfectly doable.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of Lancashire. You're close enough to hit Blackpool's attractions when the mood takes you, yet far enough away to escape the bucket-and-spade brigade. The surrounding Fylde countryside offers proper walking without having to drive for hours, while the coast at Fleetwood provides a gentler seaside experience than its famous neighbour.