Little Beach

The walk down to Little Beach from Seaton takes you through proper coastal Devon - steep paths, wild vegetation, and that particular shade of grey-blue you get when the Channel's having a moody day. Once you're down, it's a pebbly cove that rewards the effort with genuine seclusion. You won't find queues or ice-cream vans here. The cliffs rise sharply on both sides, making it feel rather tucked away despite being minutes from the town.

It's the sort of place families with slightly older kids will actually enjoy - old enough to manage the descent, keen enough to appreciate having space to run about without tripping over deckchairs. The beach itself is stones and shale, not sand, so don't expect the classic seaside bucket-and-spade experience. That said, it's brilliant for geology enthusiasts. The cliff face tells stories if you know how to read them, and the beach is littered with fossils and interesting rock formations.

Bring proper shoes rather than flip-flops - the path isn't dramatic but it is uneven, and the descent takes a proper ten minutes depending on fitness. There's no facilities down here, so pack what you need. An hour is plenty unless you're really into rockpooling or sketching, though staying longer feels natural on a calm day.

Beer Head Holiday Park sits less than a mile away, making this an ideal afternoon outing if you're based nearby. It's also worth timing a visit for late afternoon when the light catches the cliff face differently - less crowded too.