East Sands

The beach at St Andrews stretches out in a long, golden curve that catches the light properly on a decent day. It's the sort of place where you can walk for miles without feeling like you're going anywhere in particular - which is either brilliant or boring depending on your mood.

You're looking at genuine sand here, not shingle, backed by the town's golf courses and the ruins of the cathedral off to one side. The water's cold - Scottish cold - but families wade in throughout the year, and it's ideal if you've got kids who want to build something that won't collapse the moment they turn their back. Dog walkers absolutely own this beach, especially early morning or late afternoon when the tide's right.

The real draw is how close it is to St Andrews town centre. You can park, buy chips from one of the cafes, and be on the sand within five minutes. No entrance fee, no faffing about. Allow a couple of hours if you're serious about exploring the full length, less if you just fancy a stroll and a breath of air. The northern end near the castle ruins gets quieter than the southern section near the promenade.

Staying at St Andrews Holiday Park puts you practically on the doorstep - that's half a mile away. Even Cairnsmill and Craigtoun Meadows are close enough for an easy walk or a short drive. It's the sort of beach that works best in summer when the weather cooperates, but frankly it's worth knowing about any time you're caravan camping in Fife.