Eastbourne Seafront

Three miles of promenade stretched out before us, and within five minutes we understood why Eastbourne pulls in the crowds. The seafront is genuinely well-maintained - fresh paint on the Victorian lamp posts, clean shingle beach, and proper facilities that don't feel neglected. The pier itself is the main draw: it's working, lively, with amusements and a theatre that actually hosts decent acts. Nothing fancy, but it does what a British seaside pier should do.

Walkers get the better end of the deal here. The promenade path is flat and wide enough that you won't feel crushed by other people, and there's a decent stretch either direction if you fancy a longer walk. The seafront gardens are tidy without being precious - the kind of place families with young kids actually use rather than just photograph. Allow two to three hours if you're taking it at leisure, maybe longer if you're the type who sits down with fish and chips and watches the sea for a bit.

Coupled with nearby Pevensey Bay Holiday Park or Warren Wood Country Park - that one's got top marks for good reason - Eastbourne works as a proper seaside stop rather than a day trip afterthought. The seafront doesn't require money to enjoy, though you'll spend it willingly once you're here. Visit on a calm day if you can. Windy weather turns it from pleasant to rather bleak.