Walton on the Naze

Salt air hits you the moment you step off the train. This end-of-the-line Essex seaside town sits on a proper jutting-out bit of coast, with the North Sea wrapping around it like a horseshoe. The famous Naze cliffs stretch northwards - crumbling red clay that's been giving up fossils and geology lessons for decades.

Walton's pier extends a whopping 2,600 feet into the sea, making it the second-longest in Britain. Proper old-school seaside entertainment still thrives here - amusement arcades, fish and chips, and that slightly faded charm that makes Essex coast towns so appealing. The beach stretches for miles when the tide's out, with beach huts dotting the shoreline like colourful Monopoly houses.

Just inland, John Weston Nature Reserve offers brilliant birdwatching, especially during migration seasons. The countryside around here is quintessentially Essex - flat agricultural land punctuated by ancient churches like St. Michael in nearby Kirby-le-Soken. There's even a World War II bombing decoy site to explore for history buffs.

Frinton-on-Sea sits just down the coast, accessible by train, and couldn't be more different - all Edwardian elegance and manicured lawns. The contrast between the two towns makes for interesting day trips. Frinton Golf Club offers a decent round if you fancy it.

Getting here's straightforward - the train line from London Liverpool Street terminates right at Walton-on-the-Naze station. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Naze Marine or Valley Farm puts you perfectly placed for both seaside pleasures and countryside rambles, with the added bonus of being able to explore the wider Tendring Peninsula at your own pace.