Port of Ramsgate

The working harbour at Ramsgate is one of those places that rewards a proper wander, especially if you time it right with the tide. Fishing boats still land their catch here, and you can watch the whole operation unfold without paying a penny - just rock up and have a look around. It's not a theme park attraction, that's for certain. What you get instead is genuine seaside life: gulls everywhere, the smell of salt and diesel, locals who actually know each boat's name. The marina's the real heart of it, where yachts bob alongside commercial vessels in a way that feels properly lived-in rather than done up for tourists.

If you've got kids who are past the slides-and-ice-cream stage, they'll find it interesting. Teenagers especially seem to get something out of watching the mechanics of a real port, and there's usually enough action to hold attention for an hour or so. Walkers and photographers will have a field day, particularly at dawn when the light's golden and the boats are prepping to head out. The whole thing's free, and you can spend as little or as long as you fancy. Grab a coffee from one of the harbourside cafes and just sit with it.

Locally, you're well placed if you're staying at Sandwich Leisure Holiday Park or Birchington Vale Holiday Park - both within easy reach. Ramsgate itself has the beach and the seafront lido if the harbour gets dull, but honestly, on a clear morning when the boats are busy, you won't want to leave.