Blue Anchor Beach

The beach at Blue Anchor sits right where you'd expect it to - just off the coastal road between Minehead and Watchet, with the holiday park practically on your doorstep if you're staying at Hoburne. It's a proper shingle beach, the kind that crunches underfoot and demands decent shoes. The sea wall runs behind it, and at low tide you get a decent stretch of sand exposed, which is when families actually want to be here.

What draws people is straightforward: it's accessible, reasonably sheltered, and the Exmoor hills rise up behind, which gives it a bit of character compared to other Somerset coast spots. The beach itself is fine for paddling and building castles at low tide, though don't expect Mediterranean clarity. The shale and pebbles mean you'll want beach shoes, and the tide moves quickly here, so check your times before you go.

Walkers will find the coastal path does link through, connecting you toward Minehead proper or west toward Watchet if you fancy a longer stretch. It's not dramatic, but it's honest work. Kids will get an hour or two max unless the tide's right and they're keen on rock pooling.

If you're based at one of the holiday parks nearby - Hoburne's literally next door - it's a no-brainer for a morning walk. Worth the visit as part of a wider Minehead trip rather than a destination in itself. Free, naturally. Go when the tide's out.