Fish Sands

The stretch of sand at Fish Sands curves along the Durham coast just south of Hartlepool, and it's the sort of beach that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick bucket-and-spade visit. Grey stone cliffs back the shore, and at low tide you get a decent expanse of firm sand to walk on - the kind that doesn't sink under your feet every two seconds.

It's quieter than the main Hartlepool beaches, which means families with young children can actually hear themselves think. The cliffs themselves are the main draw if you're into geology or just fancy a bit of coastal scenery. Walkers tend to stop here as part of the longer Durham Heritage Coast trail, which stretches north and south along the industrial heritage section of this coastline.

There's nothing fancy here - no facilities that I could find, no lifeguards, no ice-cream vans. You'll want to bring what you need. The car parking situation is a bit vague depending on where you access it from, so check locally before you go. Summer's the obvious choice, though the beach has character in rougher seasons too if you like that sort of thing.

If you're based at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene nearby, Fish Sands makes for an easy half-morning excursion. It's not dramatic enough to build a whole day around, but paired with walks around Hartlepool's actual town, or a drive up the Heritage Coast, it slots in nicely as a proper change of pace from the holiday park itself.