Lowestoft

Britain's most easterly town catches the first sunrise each morning, and you can feel that sense of being at the edge of everything here. The North Sea stretches endlessly beyond the harbour where fishing boats still bring in their catch, though these days the tourist pound matters as much as the herring trade that built this place.

Lowestoft proper splits into two distinct halves. The seafront throws everything at holidaymakers - from the proper old-school thrills of Pleasurewood Hills to genteel promenades where you can walk off a fish supper. Ness Point marks Britain's easternmost spot with a simple compass rose set into the ground. Nothing fancy, but worth the photo.

Inland, the town feels more workaday Suffolk. Christ Church dominates the skyline while Lowestoft Town FC draws the faithful to their modest ground. The real charm lies in venturing slightly south to Corton Beach, where the crowds thin out and you get proper space to breathe. Corton Woods offers decent walking when the sea breeze gets too much.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the A47 runs straight through from Norwich, about 45 minutes by car. The train station connects directly to Norwich and Ipswich, making day trips simple enough. But staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes far more sense. Pakefield Holiday Park and Kessingland Beach Holiday Park put you within easy striking distance of both the town's attractions and the quieter stretches of coast. You're also well-placed for exploring the Norfolk Broads, just a short drive inland.