Wells-next-the-Sea

A mile of road separates this working harbour town from its beach - hence the slightly confusing name. Wells-next-the-Sea sits proper inland, connected to the coast by a long, straight road that cuts through pine-fringed marshland. It's one of Norfolk's most authentic seaside towns, where crab boats still tie up at the quay and the high street hasn't been completely overtaken by gift shops.

The Wells and Walsingham Light Railway provides the town's main draw beyond the beach. This narrow-gauge line chugs through four miles of countryside to Walsingham, passing through Wighton Halt and giving you a proper sense of Norfolk's big skies and endless fields. The journey takes about 30 minutes each way and runs most days between Easter and October.

Wells Next The Sea Beach itself is worth the trek down Beach Road. The sand stretches for miles when the tide's out, backed by colourful beach huts and pine woods. Wells Wood offers decent walking if you fancy staying dry, while the Eliza Adams Lifeboat Memorial near the harbour tells the story of the town's lifesaving heritage.

Parish church of All Saints and St Mary anchors the town centre, though frankly the quayside pubs are more interesting for most visitors. The harbour area comes alive during summer, with boat trips running to see the seal colonies at Blakeney Point.

Camping or glamping nearby makes perfect sense. You're fifteen minutes from Holkham's famous beach, twenty from Blakeney, and Wells gives you that rare thing on this coast - a proper working town with decent shops and restaurants rather than just tourist tat.