Brighton Beach

The pebbles crunch under your feet the moment you step onto Brighton Beach - and that's rather the point. This isn't a soft sand affair; it's a proper working seafront that's been drawing Londoners and day-trippers for nearly two centuries. The shingle stretches for miles, backed by the famous Victorian pier with its arcade games and candyfloss stalls, and the whole scene has that faded-glamour feel that makes Brighton what it is.

You'll see families clustered under windbreaks, teenagers on the volleyball courts, and older couples simply sitting on the pebbles watching the water. It's busy - genuinely busy - especially on bank holidays and summer weekends, but that's rather the appeal for some and reason enough to avoid peak times for others. The beach itself is free, obviously. Allow a couple of hours if you want to properly settle in; half an hour if you're just after a quick paddle and a look at the pier.

The nearby caravan parks - Eastern Sands and Beach Park are both within five miles - make this an obvious anchor point for a wider Sussex coast break. You could easily spend a morning here, then head to Shoreham or Worthing if you fancy a quieter stretch of beach. The pier's worth a wander, though the entrance fee and inflated prices for chips might make you wince a bit. Come early if you want to avoid the crowds, or embrace the chaos on a sunny afternoon - depends entirely on your mood.