Brighton Beach Bandstand

That white iron structure right in the middle of Brighton's seafront is impossible to miss, and for good reason. The Bandstand has been a focal point of the beach since 1884, and it still looks like something out of a Victorian postcard - all ornate metalwork and genuine character. You can wander right up to it, have a proper look around, and if you're lucky you might catch live music in summer months, though that varies year to year.

It's free to visit and takes about ten minutes to explore properly, though most people just grab a photo and move on. Fair enough - it's not the sort of thing that'll occupy you for hours. What it does do brilliantly is anchor the entire beach experience. Families heading to the seafront with kids will find it a natural stopping point between the pebbles and the arcades. History types will appreciate the craftsmanship and what it represents about Brighton's Victorian heyday as a proper resort town.

The real value is in how it sits within a broader beach day. Pop down from Pegs and Pitches Camping - just 1.1 miles away - grab a coffee, walk the seafront, and this becomes part of that experience rather than a destination in itself. Similarly, if you're based at Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite 2.5 miles along, it's an easy stroll to the bandstand and beyond. Come morning or late afternoon when the light's better and the crowds are thinner. Midday in July gets rammed.