Mablethorpe

Sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see along this unfussy Lincolnshire resort. Mablethorpe has that proper seaside feel - kiss-me-quick hats and donkey rides rather than boutique hotels and artisan coffee shops.

Golden Sands Beach lives up to its name, offering miles of proper sand for castle-building and paddling. It's brilliant for families who want space to spread out without fighting for a patch. The Seal Sanctuary Wildlife Centre makes for a lovely afternoon, especially when the weather turns. Less well-known is Gnomesville - a quirky collection of garden gnomes that's oddly compelling once you stumble across it.

Jackson's Land Train runs between the north end and Holivans, which saves the legs if you're laden with beach gear and small children. The Loewen Cinema keeps things old-school with proper tickets and no fancy seating - refreshing in its simplicity.

Lincoln sits about 45 minutes inland if you fancy a proper cathedral city day out. The surrounding Wolds countryside is surprisingly hilly for this part of England, with decent walking once you venture away from the coast.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense here. Haven Golden Sands Holiday Park sits right on the doorstep, while Seacroft Holiday Estate offers a bit more space. The Mablethorpe Camping and Caravanning Club Site provides a more traditional camping experience. You're close enough to pop into town for fish and chips, but far enough from the main drag to get some peace in the evenings.