Goring-by-Sea Beach

The shingle beach at Goring-by-Sea stretches out in both directions with that particular Sussex charm - nothing fancy, just proper coastal England. You get the Channel views, a working seafront with a few cafes and the odd ice cream van, and the kind of beach that feels genuinely lived-in rather than polished up for tourists.

It's a solid family spot. The shingle can be rough underfoot for very small children, but older kids do fine, and there's enough of a promenade to tire them out before lunch. Low tide reveals a decent strip of sand, which helps. The water's cold year-round, naturally, but that's never stopped anyone.

Walkers get more from Goring than casual visitors. The seafront path heads east towards Worthing and west towards Littlehampton - both walks are pleasant if unremarkable. An hour each way is sensible. The beach itself? Two hours maximum unless you're the type to sit and read for half the day.

Free access, obviously. No car park immediately on the beach, but there's street parking nearby and a proper car park a short walk back. Summer weekends can be rammed; off-season mornings are lovely and quiet.

If you're based at Brook Lane or Onslow just down the road, this is your local. Don't expect the South Coast glamour of somewhere like Brighton - this is what happens when you want a beach without the theatre. That's precisely why some people prefer it.