Weymouth

Buckets and spades still rule supreme here, though this Georgian seaside town has shaken off its slightly faded reputation of late. Weymouth's sweeping sandy beach stretches for miles, backed by the kind of pastel-coloured terraces that wouldn't look out of place in Bath. The harbour buzzes with fishing boats and pleasure craft, while the old town's narrow streets hide decent pubs and independent shops.

Weymouth Bay's gentle waters make it ideal for families - no dramatic cliffs or dangerous currents to worry about. The beach huts add proper seaside character, though you'll pay through the nose to hire one during summer. Beyond the main drag, Portland looms across the causeway, all dramatic limestone and industrial heritage.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Direct trains from London Waterloo take just over two hours, while the A354 brings drivers straight into town from the M3. Dorchester lies eight miles inland if you need proper shopping or cultural diversions.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. Chesil Beach Lodge Park sits right on the famous pebble ridge - that 18-mile natural wonder that connects Weymouth to Portland. From there, you're minutes from both Weymouth's sandy shores and the wilder Dorset coast. The surrounding countryside rolls away in gentle hills, dotted with villages that Thomas Hardy knew well. This stretch of coast offers the best of both worlds - proper seaside fun and easy access to Dorset's rural heart.