Lowestoft

Railway signals click and wind whips off the North Sea as Britain's easternmost point greets another morning. Lowestoft's weathered seafront tells stories of fishing fleets and holiday crowds, though the town feels quieter these days - a working port where gulls still squabble over chip scraps and the Broads begin their gentle spread inland.

Oulton Broad makes for a proper day out, especially if you fancy messing about in boats or just watching the world drift by from a waterside pub. The lake connects to the Norfolk Broads network, so there's always something happening on the water. Train enthusiasts get a double helping with both Oulton Broad North and South stations serving the area.

Lowestoft Museum does a decent job explaining why this corner of Suffolk mattered so much to Britain's fishing industry. Down in Pakefield, Saint Nicholas church sits close enough to the cliff edge to make you wonder how long it'll stay put - coastal erosion's a real issue here. The village signs dotted around Carlton Colville and Kirkley are worth a quick look if you're into local heritage.

Getting here's straightforward enough - the A12 brings you up from Ipswich, while the railway connects to Norwich and beyond. From nearby holiday parks like Pakefield or Kessingland Beach, you're perfectly placed to explore both the Suffolk coast and the southern Broads. Broadland Sands puts you right on the doorstep of Great Yarmouth too.

Weekdays see a different side of Lowestoft. The fishing boats still work from the harbour, and there's something honest about a town that hasn't completely reinvented itself for tourists. Though if you do fancy a round of mini golf, Thatched Roof Putting keeps things traditional.