Dungeness Beach

Dungeness Beach is one of those places that shouldn't work but absolutely does. It's a vast shingle beach - properly vast, stretching for miles along the Kent coast near New Romney - where the defining feature is the sheer oddness of it all. You've got the decommissioned nuclear power station looming in the distance, a working lighthouse, and a landscape so barren and windswept it feels like the edge of the world.

Walking here is what it's about. The shingle underfoot is relentless - wearing proper trainers is non-negotiable - but the solitude and space make it worth the effort. On a clear day you can see France. The light here is extraordinary, which is why artists have been drawn to Dungeness for decades. Derek Jarman lived here, and his influence lingers in the strange, creative energy of the place.

It's free to wander, though if you visit the lighthouse or want a guided tour, expect a small fee. Allow at least two hours to get a proper feel for it, longer if you're into photography or just need to clear your head. Don't come expecting traditional seaside charm - there are no arcades or ice cream vans. This is austere, melancholic, brilliant.

For families, it works if your kids are old enough to appreciate something genuinely different rather than amusement parks. From the caravan parks clustered around New Romney and Dymchurch, Dungeness is a short drive away - ideal for a morning or afternoon excursion between rides at nearby attractions.