Meon Beach

The shingle beach at Meon stretches out towards Southampton Water with that particular Hampshire charm - low-key and honest, without the crowds you'd battle further down the coast. It's essentially a working waterfront where the Meon River meets the Solent, so expect industrial bits mixed in with the beach itself. The walk down takes you through proper countryside before you hit the shore, which is where the appeal really lies.

You won't find fairground rides or kiss-me-quick stalls here. What you get instead is space to breathe, decent views across the water towards the Isle of Wight on a clear day, and if you're lucky, you might spot some of the boats that work these waters. It's the sort of place families with older kids enjoy - the beach itself is functional rather than spectacular, but the walk and the sense of arriving somewhere real makes it worthwhile.

The nearest caravan parks - Solent Breezes sits just 1.5 miles away, which makes Meon a natural morning or afternoon stop if you're based at one of these spots. Lepe Beach Campsite is also within spitting distance at 5 miles, and offers a slightly livelier beach experience if you want to compare. Time-wise, allow an hour unless you're planning to settle with a book. Free to access, no facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. Go at low tide if you want proper beach to walk on.