Middleton Beach

The stretch of sand at Middleton Beach near Hartlepool isn't going to blow your mind, but it's a decent enough spot if you're staying in the area and fancy a proper seaside walk. The beach itself is fairly typical North East coastline - golden sand when the tide's out, that slightly industrial horizon you get along this stretch, and enough room to move about without treading on someone's towel.

It works best as a half-hour wander rather than an all-day pitch. Families with young kids will find the beach functional - nothing dramatic, but safe enough for a paddle when conditions allow. The approach from Hartlepool side is straightforward, and there's decent access if you're bothered about that. The real appeal is the sheer lack of fuss. No amusement arcades, no blaring speakers, just sand and sea. Some might call that boring. I'd call it honest.

If you're based at Parkdean Resorts Crimdon Dene - which sits just under 4 miles away - this gives you an alternative to the slightly more manicured beach experience those holiday parks usually offer. Time it for late afternoon when the worst of the day-trippers have cleared off, and there's something genuinely pleasant about the quietness of it. The light gets proper lovely across the water an hour or two before sunset. Worth the short drive from your caravan or lodge, but don't rearrange your whole week around it.