Cromer

Famous for its sweet-tasting crabs and Victorian pier jutting into the grey-green North Sea, this traditional seaside town has retained more genuine charm than most coastal resorts. The high street still has proper independent shops rather than the usual chain store takeover, and the beach actually gets busy with families rather than just dog walkers.

Cromer Pier remains the star attraction - a proper Victorian structure complete with the Pavilion Theatre where end-of-the-pier shows still pack in the crowds during summer months. The lifeboat station here is legendary among maritime rescue enthusiasts. Below, the sandy beach stretches east and west, though it's the famous Cromer crabs that really put this place on the map. Pop into one of the seafront cafes for a dressed crab sandwich - it's what the town does best.

Inland, North Lodge Park offers decent walking through mixed woodland, while the Cromer Museum on Tucker Street tells the story of the town's fishing heritage and geology. The nearby Amazona Zoo makes for a good family day out when the weather turns. For something different, The Gallery Norfolk showcases local artists' work.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A149 coast road connects Cromer to King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth, while trains run from Norwich in about an hour. The surrounding Norfolk countryside is surprisingly hilly for East Anglia, with decent walking on the Norfolk Coast Path.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to stroll into town for fish and chips or an evening show, but far enough out to enjoy the quieter coastal countryside. West Runton and the broader North Norfolk coast are all within easy reach for day trips.