Path to Sheringham Beach

The walk down to Sheringham Beach from the town centre is straightforward enough - follow the main drag and you'll spot the path markers easily enough. It's not a dramatic trek by any means, more of a pleasant stroll that takes the better part of twenty minutes depending on your pace. The beach itself is proper Norfolk: wide sandy stretches at low tide, a scattering of beach huts in cheerful colours, and that particular quality of light you get on the east coast when the sun hits the water just right.

Families with young kids will manage this without complaint. The walk is flat, the beach is safe for paddling, and there's usually an ice cream van lurking near the seafront. Older children might find the shale banks interesting for fossil hunting, though you need to know what you're looking for. For walkers, it's more of a warm-up than a proper ramble - you could do it as part of a longer coastal loop if you fancy pushing on towards West Runton.

The real appeal is the simplicity of it. No visitor centre, no entrance fee, no faffing about. Just a beach that's been there for centuries and will be there long after you've left. It works well if you're based at West Runton Camping or Kelling Heath - both are within easy reach - and serves as a decent half-day activity when the weather's behaving itself. Go early in summer if you want to avoid the school holiday crowds.