Hawthorn Hive

You'll find yourself on a stretch of Durham coast that doesn't get the same footfall as Tynemouth or Whitley Bay, which is precisely why it's worth the trip. Hawthorn Hive is a beach near Peterlee where the North Sea does what it does best - crashes against the sand with proper force, especially when the wind picks up from the east.

It's a straightforward seaside spot. You get sand, you get rocks, you get the kind of bracing air that clears your head in about five minutes flat. The beach itself is decent for a walk, though it's not the sort of place you'll spend all day - the shoreline's fairly exposed and there's not much shelter. Families with young kids will probably manage an hour or so before someone wants hot chocolate, but older children and walkers will find it properly rewarding, especially if you fancy scrambling over the rocky bits at low tide.

The nearest decent base is The Barn at Easington, just under a mile away, which makes this an easy add-on to a park holiday without the hassle of a lengthy drive. Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene is further out near Hartlepool if you want more facilities, though the reviews speak for themselves there.

Bring waterproofs. The Durham coast doesn't do "pleasant sunshine and a gentle breeze" - it does moody and windswept, which is actually when it looks best. Free to visit, naturally, and accessible whenever you fancy a walk.