Wigan

Wigan sits in the flatter reaches of Greater Manchester, but its best-loved outdoor spaces make the most of the pockets of woodland and water that break up the town. Haigh Woodland Park is the big draw, a stretch of mature trees, paths and open ground that gives the town a proper green lung, while Fairy Glen Valley offers a smaller, quieter pocket of woodland walking for those after something more low-key. Between the two, Wigan has a surprising amount of nature to explore for a town best known for its industrial past.

Most visitors base themselves centrally, with a good spread of hotels and inns to choose from. The Charles Dickens, The Brocket Arms Wetherspoon and The Mount by Greene King Inns all offer straightforward, well-located stays, while The Red Lion Hotel by Marstons Inns adds a bit more history to the mix. For something further out, Wrightington Hotel & Health Club combines a stay with leisure facilities, and the Best Western Plus Lancashire Manor Hotel and Britannia Wigan Hotel round out the options for those wanting a larger hotel base. Travellers after self-catering have South Lodge Cottage as a quieter alternative.

Beyond the parkland, Wigan has built up a strong line-up of family attractions. Jigsaw's Adventure Play and Velocity Trampoline Park Wigan keep younger visitors entertained, Ninja Warrior UK Wigan and Wigan Roller Rink add an active edge, and Empire Cinema Wigan covers the classic night-out option. It is a town well set up for a weekend that mixes fresh air with entertainment under one roof when the weather turns.

Whether the plan is a walk through Haigh Woodland Park, an afternoon at one of the town's activity centres, or simply a good meal after exploring, Wigan makes for an easy, well-connected base with green space close at hand.