Longsands Beach

The beach at Longsands stretches proper long - hence the name, I suppose - and it's the kind of place where you can actually walk without treading on someone's towel. Near Taunton in Somerset, it's a working beach with that honest, unspoilt feel you don't often find anymore.

What you get here is sand, sea, and sky. The beach is ideal for families who want their kids to burn energy without the amusement arcade chaos of somewhere like Minehead nearby. Walkers will find the shoreline extends far enough to make a proper expedition out of it, and there's something satisfying about watching the tide move across flat sand.

The beach works especially well as part of a holiday park stay - Warren Bay Holiday Village is less than half a mile away, and Haven Doniford Bay sits just 1.8 miles down the coast. If you're based at Butlins Minehead or one of the other parks in the area, Longsands makes for a decent half-day outing without the theme park atmosphere.

Timing matters here. Go early before families arrive, or later in the afternoon when the light's better and the beach empties out. Weather can turn quickly on the Somerset coast, so check conditions beforehand. The beach is free to access and open year-round, though winter walks have their own appeal if you don't mind a blustery wind.

Worth the detour? If you're already staying locally, absolutely. It's genuine and low-key - no bucket-and-spade commercialism, just sand and sea.