East Quantoxhead Beach

East Quantoxhead Beach is a proper working village with a shingle shore that feels genuinely lived-in rather than theme-parked. You get the old lifeboat station, a scatter of fishing boats, and that sense of a place that exists for locals first, visitors second. The beach itself is narrow and steep - more functional than fancy - but the backdrop of the Quantock Hills rising behind makes it worth the visit, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles along the coast.

It's the kind of spot where families with older kids or keen walkers will get the most from an hour or two. Small children might find it a bit sparse compared to busier beaches, though the rock pools reward a proper poke about. There's a pub nearby and a shop, so you won't go hungry, but don't expect arcades or ice cream vans.

The real appeal is using it as a base for exploring the quieter stretch of the Exmoor coastline. It sits between Holford and Kilve, both tiny villages worth a wander. You're perfectly placed for the coastal path walks that wind east towards Watchet or west towards Minehead.

Stay at Moorhouse Campsite - it's just over two miles away and honestly brilliant - or Haven Doniford Bay if you want more facilities. Both give you dead easy access to the beach and the surrounding walking country. Go when the tide is out and you get actual beach rather than just pebbles. Not Instagram material, but real.