Warden Bay beach

The shingle beach at Warden Bay stretches out in front of you with a proper sense of being at the edge of somewhere - which you are, really. This is Isle of Sheppey territory, just off Sheerness, where the Thames estuary meets the sea and the light does something odd to the horizon. You get a wide, flat sweep of beach that's ideal if you want space rather than crowds, though it's worth knowing the tide dictates what you actually get to walk on.

It's an honest beach, not a resort one. Families with younger kids might find it a bit bleak on a grey day, but walkers and photographers will find plenty to do. The shingle is relentless on the feet, so proper shoes are essential. Low cliffs back the shore, and there's something appealing about the industrial landscape to the west - container ships, wind farms, the working coast without the sugar-coating.

Since Central Beach Holiday Park sits just half a mile away in Latimer, and Harts is barely further, this is genuinely convenient if you're caravan-based. Warden Bay itself is free to access - it's a public beach - though you'll need to find your own parking. Allow a couple of hours if you're serious about exploring, though honestly, most people come for a brisk walk and a change of air. Winter and early spring are best when you won't be sharing it with half the county. It's not flashy, but that's precisely the point.