Burnham-on-Sea

The longest pier in the world sits right here on Somerset's coast. At 300 metres, Burnham-on-Sea's Victorian structure stretches out over sand flats that seem to go on forever at low tide. This is proper seaside territory - bucket-and-spade holidays with a twist of the surreal.

Expect mudflats. Lots of them. When the tide's out, the sea practically disappears, leaving acres of wet sand that reflect the sky like a giant mirror. It's not everyone's idea of a beach resort, but there's something rather magnificent about the sheer scale of it all. The lighthouse perched on nine legs - unique in Britain - adds to the otherworldly feel.

Burnham sits where the River Brue meets the Bristol Channel, and the town centre has that slightly faded seaside charm that's become rather endearing. The high street does decent fish and chips, and there's a proper old-fashioned arcade for when the weather turns.

Getting here from the M5 takes about 20 minutes via the A38 through Bridgwater. The surrounding Somerset Levels stretch inland - flat, mysterious countryside crossed by ancient drove roads and drainage channels. Weston-super-Mare lies eight miles north if you need proper shops or a train station.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted along this stretch makes perfect sense. You're within easy reach of Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury, and Wells Cathedral, while the coast offers miles of walking along the South West Coast Path. Plus, watching the tide race across those vast flats twice daily never gets old.