Herne Bay Pier

The pier stretches out into the sea like a stubborn finger, and frankly, it's exactly what you want from a seaside walk. Herne Bay's Victorian structure has been rebuilt more than once - storms have taken their toll - but it's still the kind of place where you can lose half an hour just leaning on the railings, watching the boats and letting the salt air do its work.

There's not much to it, which is precisely the point. Walk the length, grab some chips from one of the shacks at the entrance, maybe spend a quid on the amusements if you're feeling nostalgic. Kids will find it diverting for an hour or so, but don't expect thrills - this is a proper old-fashioned pier, the kind that rewards wandering rather than demanding your attention.

It's free to walk, and you can visit whenever the weather allows. The real value is in combining it with the broader Herne Bay seafront - there's decent pebble beach access, and the town itself has enough cafes and ice-cream stops to fill a proper day out. If you're staying at Seaview Holiday Park nearby, it's practically on your doorstep. For something quieter and further out, Nethergong Camping is worth the short drive.

Whitstable is just along the coast, so you could easily make this part of a wider beach-town circuit. The pier works best on a clear afternoon when the light's good and you can see right across the Thames estuary.