Portland Bill Lighthouse

The red and white stripes are visible from miles away - you can't miss Portland Bill Lighthouse dominating the southern tip of the Isle of Portland. It's a proper working lighthouse, still guiding ships through one of Britain's busiest shipping lanes, and there's something rather brilliant about standing at the actual point where it sweeps its beam across the Channel.

The lighthouse itself sits at the end of a rocky headland that juts out into the sea. Walk down and you get spectacular 360-degree views - the Jurassic Coast stretches away to the east, and on clear days you can see France. It's windy up there, genuinely windswept, so bring a decent jacket. The walk down takes about 20 minutes from the car park, and it's uneven terrain rather than steep, so families can manage it without too much fuss, though restless toddlers might grumble.

You can visit the lighthouse exterior year-round and it's free, though access into the tower itself depends on opening hours and occasional closures for maintenance - worth checking locally in Southwell before you trek out. Allow an hour including the walk and some time simply standing there taking in the view. It's remarkably quiet even in summer, which is one of its charms.

If you're staying at Chesil Beach Holiday Park over in Weymouth, Portland Bill makes an excellent half-day excursion. Combine it with Chesil Beach itself - the shingle bar is extraordinary - and you've got a proper coastal outing without needing to drive far.