Greenhill Beach

The shingle beach at Greenhill runs east from Weymouth town centre, a proper working stretch of Dorset coastline that hasn't been over-prettified for the tourists. What you get here is the real deal - a wide expanse of pebbles, decent enough sand lower down at low tide, and the kind of views across Weymouth Bay that make you understand why people have bothered living here for centuries.

It's the sort of place where families with young kids will have a solid afternoon without needing much more than a bucket and spade, though the shingle does get uncomfortable underfoot after a while - bring proper beach shoes or accept sore feet. Older children and teens will find it less interesting than the busy main beach at Weymouth itself, which is only a short walk away and has all the arcades and donkeys and whatnot.

The real draw here is if you're the type who prefers a quieter patch. The water's decent for swimming, though watch the tides - they shift quickly along this coast. There's a cafe nearby if you need refreshments, and the promenade has proper facilities.

If you're staying at one of the Haven parks dotted along this stretch - Bowleaze Cove, Seaview, or Littlesea are all close by - Greenhill works as a morning walk before heading into Weymouth proper. It's free, naturally, and takes about an hour to properly explore. Go for the accessibility rather than any dramatic scenery.