Hive Beach

Fossil hunters will feel properly at home here. The grey pebbles stretching from Burton Bradstock towards West Bay make for some of the finest fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast, with ammonites and belemnites turning up regularly after storms. The beach café does excellent locally caught crab sandwiches - you'll want to fuel up before tackling the steep climb back to the car park.

Walking enthusiasts get the best deal here. The South West Coast Path runs right along the clifftops, offering cracking views across Lyme Bay on clear days. Families with young kids might find the walk down a bit challenging, and the pebbles aren't ideal for sandcastle builders. But older children love the fossil hunting, especially if you time your visit for low tide.

Parking costs a few pounds and fills up quickly in summer - arrive early or risk a lengthy trudge from Burton Bradstock village. The beach works well as part of a longer coastal walk, perhaps combining it with nearby West Bay for fish and chips. From holiday parks like West Bay or Golden Cap, it's an easy drive that makes for a proper day out exploring this UNESCO World Heritage coastline.