Skegness

The donkey rides still trundle along the beach every summer, just like they have for decades. Skegness refuses to apologise for being exactly what it is - a proper British seaside town that's thoroughly unpretentious and all the better for it. The promenade stretches for miles, lined with amusement arcades, fish and chip shops, and the kind of candy floss that turns your tongue electric blue.

Butlins looms large here, its red-coated Redcoats still marshalling holidaymakers through the entertainment programme. Love it or loathe it, you can't ignore it. The beach itself is genuinely decent - wide expanses of sand that go on forever at low tide, perfect for sandcastle competitions and football kickabouts.

Beyond the seafront theatrics, the surrounding Lincolnshire countryside offers proper breathing space. Friskney Decoy Wood provides a lovely contrast to the seaside bustle, while Saint Mary Parish Church Wainfleet gives you a dose of medieval history if the arcade games lose their appeal. The area around Thorpe Culvert is quiet farming country - flat as a pancake but oddly peaceful.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A52 runs straight from the A1, and there's a decent rail connection too. From nearby Boston, it's a 20-minute drive through fenland that feels like you're crossing into another world entirely.

Staying at one of the holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to dive into the seaside mayhem when you fancy it, but far enough away to escape the crowds when you need a breather. Skegness Seaview Caravan Park sits right by the action, while Haven offers that classic British holiday park experience your kids will remember forever.