Canvas and Country

If the kids are keen for more tastes of the rural life, set off for animal feeding and petting sessions at Windmill Animal Farm (10 minutes’ drive) or meet ponies and drive go karts at Farmer Teds Adventure Farm (15 minutes). Mere Sands Wood (15 minutes), Beacon Country Park (20 minutes) and WWT Martin Mere (10 minutes) are all good places to seek out wildlife as you wander. Beach time may well beckon around here too. Blackpool (an hour) is famous for the Pleasure Beach and attractions like the Sea Life Centre, while nearby Southport also has a lovely sandy beach (20 minutes) plus things like the British Lawnmower Museum, Splash World and Pleasureland amusement park. Formby (half an hour) is another coastal town that’s worth a visit for its wilder beach and the chance to spot rare red squirrels in the nature reserve. For a change of scenery, spend the day in the museums, restaurants and shops of Liverpool (45 minutes), visit the Tudor manor at Rufford Old Hall (15 minutes) or take a heritage ride on the West Lancashire Light Railway (25 minutes).