North Beach

The stretch of sand at North Beach near Ashington runs long and fairly quiet, which is either brilliant or disappointing depending on what you're after. If you want the classic British seaside experience with deckchairs and candyfloss, look elsewhere. This is proper windswept Northumberland coast - grey skies, crashing waves, the works.

You'll find it good for a proper walk rather than a day lounging about. The beach itself is wide at low tide, backed by dunes that aren't particularly dramatic but do the job. Kids will get an hour or two out of it before wanting to move on, though if they're into rock pools and exploring, the beach has enough going on. The sand gets hard-packed nearer the waterline, which makes for easier walking than some beaches round here.

Walkers should come. The shoreline stretches for miles either direction, and it's the kind of place where you can actually think without queuing for ice cream. Bring a windproof jacket - the wind howls straight off the North Sea and doesn't apologise.

Golden Sands Holiday Park sits just five and a half miles south and gets solid reviews, making it a sensible base if you're after nearby beach access alongside proper holiday park amenities. The beach costs nothing and there's no set visiting hours - it's just there. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid what little crowds there are. Allow two to three hours if you're walking the full stretch, less if you're just after a quick coastal fix.