I second what Genghis said about Barton. It's a few years since I last flew in or out but I did my PPL there back in 1978 and it was our main base throughout the 80s, 90s, and 2000s before our group moved to Liverpool.
Back in the day Barton was run by Lancashire Aero Club so landings were free for members. That was great for circuits, or at any time you were not 100% happy with your landing - just do another!
It also taught one to accept shortish and rough fields as nothing unusual - good training for farm strip flying later! Being in the Manchester Control Zone also meant you got to use 'proper' RT and indeed back then trips into 'The Big Airport' and clearances direct across the zone were commonplace.