Barton On Sea Beach

The cliffs here are doing something rather dramatic - crumbling into the sea at an alarming rate, which is exactly what makes Barton on Sea Beach worth a visit. This stretch of Hampshire coastline near New Milton is a proper working nature reserve, not some manicured seaside attraction, and that's where its appeal lies.

You'll find dramatic sandstone and clay cliffs towering above a shingle beach, with fossils embedded in the rock face if you know where to look. It's geology made visible, the kind of thing that genuinely fascinates both adults and older children. Younger kids might lose interest after an hour unless they're serious fossil hunters, but families who like a bit of substance to their beach day will find plenty here. The cliff-top walks are excellent - you get proper views across the Solent without the crowds you'd find at more famous spots.

There's no charge for access, which is refreshing. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're doing the walk and exploring the beach. The best time is low tide when you can get down to the base of the cliffs properly, and spring or autumn beats summer for not having half of Hampshire there as well.

It pairs beautifully with a caravan holiday at one of the nearby parks - Hoburne Naish is less than two miles away and highly rated, while New Forest Centenary Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite puts you just inland if you want forest walks mixed with coastal days. The reserve sits at the edge of the New Forest area, so you can do serious exploring without ever leaving the vicinity.