Hunstanton South Beach

The striped cliffs at Hunstanton's South Beach are proper striking - rust-red and cream layers rising straight out of the sand like something from a geology textbook. You can walk the full length of the beach at low tide, though the cliffs themselves are off-limits (they're unstable and protected anyway). The beach itself is wide and sandy, with rock pools scattered about if you've got kids in tow.

It's the sort of place that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick snap. Bring a packed lunch and spend a couple of hours poking around - low tide is best, obviously. The fossils embedded in those cliffs draw enthusiasts regularly, though you'll need to look carefully. Families find it engaging enough, especially if the little ones are into rock pooling or building sandcastles on the wider sections.

The beach sits right on Hunstanton's doorstep, making it dead handy if you're staying at Searles Leisure Resort or Manor Park Holiday Park - both within spitting distance. Even Heacham Beach Holiday Park, a mile or so south, puts you close enough for a morning visit before heading elsewhere. It's free to access, naturally, and there's no formal opening hours - just rock up when the tide's in your favour. The town itself has fish and chips shops and ice cream parlours if you need to fuel up. Worth a half-day minimum if you're in the area; more if you're genuinely into coastal geology or just fancy a proper beach day without the crowds you'd find further down the Norfolk coast.