Hengistbury Head Beach

Walk to the tip of Hengistbury Head and you've got Christchurch spread out behind you, the Solent opening up ahead, and a proper sense of having gone somewhere. This double-pronged headland juts into Christchurch Harbour with beaches on both sides - shingle and sand depending on the tide - and the walk itself is the whole point. Takes about 45 minutes to reach the end from the car park, mostly easy going along well-trodden paths with views that improve with every step.

It's free, naturally, and stays open year-round. Families with younger kids do fine on the main path, though toddlers might find the sheer distance tedious. This is really walkers' territory - adults wanting a bit of coastal air without the crowds you get at busier Dorset spots. The scramble down to the beach at the far end is manageable but involves loose rock, so watch your footing.

The headland itself tells you something about this corner of the coast. Iron Age fort, Victorian development, modern conservation work - it's been fought over and tidied up plenty of times. On a clear day the views across to the Isle of Wight make the walk worthwhile on their own. Go midweek if you can, or early morning, to have it mostly to yourself.

Stay at Sandhills Holiday Park just 1.2 miles away and you're properly positioned. Hoburne Park and Hoburne Naish are nearby too if Sandhills is full. It's the sort of walk that slots nicely into a park holiday - nothing you need to book or pay for, just good air and solid ground underfoot.