Corton Beach

A sweep of shingle and sand just a stone's throw east of Lowestoft, Corton Beach is the sort of place where you can actually park without losing an hour to the search. The beach itself is properly wide at low tide, backed by low cliffs and a scattering of beach huts that look like they've been there since the 1950s - which half of them probably have.

It's a straightforward seaside affair. Walk the shingle, paddle if the weather's warm enough, sit with a flask and watch the fishing boats head out. The promenade has a few cafes and fish and chip shops doing the rounds, nothing fancy but perfectly decent. Kids will get a solid couple of hours out of it - there's enough room to run about and the shallow water at the southern end is safe for younger swimmers.

The real draw for holiday park visitors is proximity. Azure Seas Holiday Village sits less than half a mile away, and Broadland Sands is barely fifteen minutes on foot. If you're staying at Haven Hopton, it's a short drive. This isn't a destination beach in itself, but as an extension of a week at one of the Norfolk parks, it's absolutely worth a visit - especially on a quiet morning when the crowds haven't arrived.

Best visited out of peak summer if you value some peace. Low tide reveals the best sand, so check your tide times before heading down.