Boothsfield Caravan Park

The soft clatter of tent pegs on Lancashire turf, with the rumble of the M6 somewhere beyond the hedgerows — this is practical northern camping without pretence.

Boothsfield takes tents, campervans and caravans year-round, which makes it a solid bet for winter tourers and anyone passing through the North West who needs a reliable overnight. It's the kind of site that works for families doing the Lakes-Blackpool circuit, couples touring the Ribble Valley, or anyone who wants a Lancashire base without fuss. The facilities are straightforward — showers and toilets onsite — and the year-round opening means you're not scrambling for pitches in shoulder season.

Expect a no-frills setup that does what it says. Campfires are a check-on-arrival situation, so ask when you pitch up. It's functional rather than fancy, the sort of place that just gets on with it — which, depending on your mood and your route, is sometimes exactly what you need.