Beach view

The stretch of coastline near Kingsbridge rewards a proper walk. You get Devon's south coast laid bare - long shingle beaches, the kind where the pebbles shift under your boots and the light changes every few minutes depending on what the clouds are doing. Slapton Sands is the main draw here, a three-mile curve of beach backed by a freshwater lagoon that's separated from the sea by an impressively high shingle bar. It's genuinely striking, especially in the low light of late afternoon when the sea takes on a cold grey tone and the whole thing feels a bit moody.

Walkers will have the most fun. There's a proper coastal path that connects everything and gives you the sort of views that justify the drive down to South Devon. Families with young kids might find it a slog - the shingle isn't forgiving for small legs, and there's not much shelter if the weather turns. The lagoon side is quieter and flatter if you want an easier route.

It's free, obviously - it's a beach. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the walk properly rather than just parking up for a quick look. Early morning or late afternoon beats the midday crowds by miles.

If you're staying at Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club just down the road, you're barely twenty minutes from the best bits. It's a solid morning or afternoon in a wider coastal walk rather than something to build a whole day around.