Southwold Beach

The pier jutting out into the North Sea is what most people picture when they think of Southwold Beach, and frankly, it's worth the walk. The beach itself is proper shingle - bring proper shoes if you're planning to spend hours here - but the water's clean enough for a swim in summer, and the sloped foreshore means you won't be trudging across half a mile of stones to reach the sea.

What makes it work is the setting. The pastel-coloured beach huts line the shore like something from a children's book, and they're genuinely charming without being twee. The pier's got amusements and a small arcade if the weather turns, plus decent fish and chips. The town itself sits just behind, so you're never more than a five-minute stroll from a decent pub or cafe.

Families will get a solid afternoon out of it - kids can hunt for shells, paddle, and beg for tokens for the arcade. It's not a dramatic beach by any means, and if you're expecting golden sand you'll be disappointed. The real appeal is the old-fashioned seaside vibe and the fact that it actually works as a base for exploring the Suffolk coast.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Pigs in Blankets is barely a mile away, or Parkdean Resorts Kessingland Beach is just along the coast - this is an easy day out. Free to access, obviously. Allow a couple of hours minimum, longer if you've got restless children. Go on a clear day; the shale beach gets grim in the rain.