Chesil Beach

Eighteen miles of pebbles stretch from Weymouth to West Bay in one of Britain's most extraordinary coastal formations. The beach rises like a natural dam between the English Channel and the Fleet Lagoon behind it, with stones that get progressively larger as you walk west - locals can supposedly tell where they are just by the size of the shingle underfoot.

Fishing enthusiasts will find this one of Dorset's finest spots for beach angling, particularly for mackerel and bass. The steep shelving means the sea gets deep quickly, so it's not really one for young children or casual swimmers. Dog walkers love the endless space, though be warned that the loose stones make for proper hard work if you're pushing a pram.

Parking can be tricky in summer, with several small car parks along the length but nothing massive. The stretch near Abbotsbury is probably the most dramatic, where the beach is at its highest and you get lovely views across to Portland. From Weymouth end, it's an easier walk but less spectacular.

Staying at Chesil Beach Lodge Park puts you right on the doorstep, while the Haven parks in Weymouth give you easy access to both the beach and the town's facilities. Allow at least two hours if you want to appreciate the scale of this geological oddity - it's well worth the effort, even if your legs will feel it afterwards.