Barton's Point Coastal Park

The cliffs at Barton's Point rise up suddenly as you round the bend near Sheerness, and they're properly dramatic for Kent. Raw chalk faces tumble towards the shingle beach below, the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people bother with coastal walks at all. It's not vast or elaborate - there's no visitor centre, no cafe, just a dramatic slice of English coastline and a decent vantage point over the Thames estuary.

Walkers will get the most from this. The clifftop path offers proper views across the water, and the walk itself is manageable without being trivial. Bring proper shoes though, as the ground can be boggy in places and the chalky sections crumble a bit. Kids might find it interesting for twenty minutes - there's rocks to clamber on at the base if the tide's out - but it's not a day-long destination. Geologically minded types will spend longer examining the exposed strata and pondering ice ages.

The real value here is as a break during a longer coastal exploration. From Sheerness Holiday Park, it's barely ten minutes' drive - close enough for a morning excursion without eating into your day. If you're staying at Ashcroft Coast or Shurland Dale, it works well as part of a wider sweep of the area. Admission is free and there's nowhere to book. Just show up, park sensibly at the roadside, and allow an hour if you're actually walking. Go when the light's decent; the sun reflecting off the water and chalk is worth timing for.