Fort Fun

The squat, angular fortress rising from the shingle near Pevensey is impossible to miss - all concrete angles and gun emplacements pointing seaward. Fort Fun is what it says: a Second World War coastal defence structure that's been converted into a family attraction, complete with exhibits, mock-ups, and the sort of military hardware that keeps kids occupied for a good hour or so.

Inside you'll find period displays, bunker rooms to explore, and enough wartime nostalgia to satisfy anyone with even a passing interest in 1940s Britain. The views across Pevensey Bay aren't dramatic, but they're worth the walk up. Weather permitting, you can see the shingle stretching away in both directions - the sort of bleak, windswept coastline that actually looks better on a grey day.

It's a solid afternoon out if you're staying at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park (just down the road) or camping at Normans Bay. Families with children aged 7-12 will get the most from it; younger kids might find the exhibits a bit slow. Older teenagers and history buffs will appreciate the detail, though it's not deep enough to keep a real enthusiast engaged for more than ninety minutes.

Go on a quieter weekday if you can - summer weekends pack out with day-trippers. Bring a windbreaker whatever the forecast says. It's proper coastal exposure up there.