Burnham-on-Sea

The lighthouse stands on wooden stilts like a weathered sentry, marking what locals reckon is one of England's most unusual beaches experiences. Burnham-on-Sea's famous Low Lighthouse, perched on nine wooden legs, has been guiding boats across the treacherous mud flats of Bridgwater Bay since 1832. At low tide, the sea retreats so far you can walk for what feels like miles across firm sand - though stick to marked paths unless you fancy getting properly stuck.

This isn't your typical bucket-and-spade seaside town. The beach here is vast and wild, with those distinctive concrete sea defences creating a somewhat industrial backdrop that's oddly compelling. When the tide's out, it's brilliant for long walks and kite flying. When it's in, the water comes right up to the sea wall with surprising force.

Families make a beeline for Animal Farm Adventure Park, which does exactly what it says - proper farmyard fun with pigs, chickens, and ferrets putting on quite the show. The Chicken Pens and Pig Barn and Ferret Arena offer hands-on experiences that keep children entertained for hours.

Getting here's straightforward enough - it's about 20 miles south of Weston-super-Mare along the A38, with regular bus connections from Bridgwater. The M5 gets you close, then it's a short drive through Somerset's flat coastal plain.

Staying at one of the many holiday parks dotted along this stretch of coast makes perfect sense. You're ideally placed for exploring both Burnham's unique shoreline and the broader Somerset Levels, while being within striking distance of Glastonbury and the Mendip Hills for day trips.