Denge Beach

The shingle runs for miles along this stretch of Kent coast, and Denge Beach delivers the sort of honest, no-frills seaside that's increasingly rare. You won't find much in the way of facilities or crowds here - it's simply a long expanse of grey pebbles backed by wild grassland, with views across Romney Marsh towards Dungeness Power Station. Some find that industrial backdrop jarring; I found it oddly compelling, a reminder that this corner of England hasn't been entirely smoothed over for tourists.

It's ideal for anyone after a proper beach walk rather than a day trip to the fairground. Bring sturdy shoes - the shingle gets heavy underfoot after a while - and expect the wind to be a genuine factor, even when the rest of Kent feels calm. The nearest town is New Romney, about three miles south, which has the basics if you need supplies.

The beach works brilliantly as an escape valve if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Parkdean Resorts Romney Sands Holiday Park sits just 2.6 miles away, or Herons Park Campsite if you want something smaller and closer. A morning walk here clears the head before heading back for lunch. Worth noting: there's precious little shelter, so pick your weather. Summer weekends can bring day-trippers from the holiday parks, but mid-week it's genuinely quiet. Free to access, naturally. Allow an hour for a decent walk; half a day if you're treating it as your main event.