Merediths' Grouse Beach

The beach at Meredith's Grouse, just outside Holford, is one of those places that catches you off guard. You're expecting Somerset coastline and instead you get a proper pebble stretch with a genuine working vibe - fishing boats, old sheds, the smell of salt and diesel. It's not Instagram-friendly, which is precisely why it's worth the trip.

There's not much infrastructure here, and that's the point. You walk along the shingle, poke around the beach huts, watch the boats come and go. If you've got kids, they'll spend an hour at most unless they're properly into shells and skipping stones. But for anyone after an authentic slice of Somerset's working coast rather than a polished resort experience, this is it.

It's free to access and you can arrive whenever suits you. The nearest car park involves a short walk downhill - manageable but not flat, so plan accordingly. Bring proper shoes. High tide can restrict access to the lower beach, so check the tidal times before you head down.

If you're staying at Moorhouse Campsite (barely two miles away) or Haven Doniford Bay further afield, add this to your morning before heading elsewhere. It works as a quiet counterpoint to busier Somerset beaches. Thirty minutes to an hour here, then back to camp for lunch. Don't expect facilities - there's a reason it's stayed relatively undiscovered.