Mablethorpe Sea Front Area

The seafront at Mablethorpe stretches along the Lincolnshire coast with that particular mix of seaside charm and honest decline that makes English beaches so oddly compelling. You get a proper traditional setup here - the prom, the beach, the amusement arcades - without any pretension about being anything other than what it is. The sand itself is decent enough, and at low tide there's plenty of space to spread out without feeling crushed by the crowds you'd get at Skegness.

It's the kind of place where families with younger kids will have a solid afternoon. Ice cream, arcade games, paddling in the shallows - all the staples are here and they work. Older teenagers might find it a bit thin on entertainment unless they're into the slightly faded retro vibe. The promenade is flat and easy for a walk, which suits anyone recovering from a driving day, though don't expect stunning scenery - this is workmanlike East Midlands coastline.

The real strength is the proximity to the holiday parks dotted along this stretch. Haven Golden Sands is barely a mile away, as is the Camping and Caravanning Club Site, so you can pitch up and have the beach on your doorstep without faffing about. Come in shoulder season - May or early September - when the weather can be decent but the school holidays haven't yet kicked in and the place feels less frantic. Free to visit, obviously, and you can spend as little or as much as you like depending on whether you fancy the arcades or just need a bracing walk.