Worthing seafront

The seafront at Worthing stretches for miles in both directions - a proper ribbon of shingle and sand that feels genuinely lived-in rather than polished up for the postcard trade. You get the pier, naturally, all Victorian ironwork and amusement arcades, but the real appeal is the promenade itself. It's wide enough that you're not fighting for space with pushchairs and ice-cream vans, and the water is proper cold and bracing rather than Mediterranean blue.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the sweep of Regency architecture backing the seafront - grand Victorian villas that have seen better decades but still carry weight. The shingle beach itself is the kind where you'll want proper shoes, and there's a decent cluster of cafes and fish and chip places without the soul-crushing markup you get at Brighton. Walking from Lancing is entirely doable, though most people drive.

Families with young kids might manage an afternoon here before boredom sets in - the pier has enough arcade distraction to keep them occupied, and the beach is safe enough for paddling if the tide's out. Walkers get genuine mileage - head west toward Goring and you can walk for hours along a proper coastal path.

If you're staying at Beach Park or Eastern Sands, both within three miles, you've got the seafront on your doorstep without needing to plan a separate trip. Free to walk the promenade, obviously. Weather dependent, so pick a decent day.