East Beach

East Beach stretches along Littlehampton's seafront with a proper working shingle shore - the kind where you can actually hear the pebbles shift under your feet when the tide comes in. It's a functional, unpretentious bit of Sussex coast, nothing fancy, just a long sweep of grey-blue sea meeting rounded stones and a promenade that runs the length of it.

You get a decent walk here, stretching east from the town centre towards the River Arun mouth. The beach itself is free to access, though parking nearby will cost you. Families with young kids might find the shingle tiresome after a while - it's not the softest sand - but older children and teenagers often enjoy the rugged feel of it. Keen walkers use it as a starting point for longer coastal rambles heading further east towards Worthing.

The real appeal is its accessibility to Littlehampton town itself. You're a ten-minute stroll from proper shops, cafes, and the harbour area. It works brilliantly as a base beach if you're staying at West Sands Holidays or Littlehampton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - both within walking distance. South Downs Caravan Park, three and a half miles inland, is also well-positioned if you want a quieter base with easy beach access.

Visit on a calm day when the water's clear enough to see what you're doing. Windy afternoons can turn it grey and choppy. There's no entry fee, no time limit - you stay as long as the weather allows. It's honest seaside, nothing more.