Sandy Beach

The stretch of sand at Sandy Beach, just outside Norwich, is the sort of place that surprises you with how good it actually is. Not a built-up seaside resort with arcades and kiss-me-quick hats - just a proper sweep of beach that gets genuinely busy on summer weekends and peacefully empty the rest of the time.

It's ideal for families who want to avoid the chaos of Norfolk's honeypot beaches. Kids will spend hours digging and paddling in the shallows, and there's enough space that you won't feel hemmed in by other people's windbreaks. The sand is decent quality, packed hard when the tide's out, and the approach is straightforward without the steep dune scrambles you get elsewhere along this coast.

Walkers come here too, especially those based at nearby Manor Caravan Park. The beach connects into a proper coastal path network, so you can easily stretch a morning swim into a longer outing. It's the kind of place where a grey November afternoon feels more peaceful than crowded July, though both have their appeal.

There's minimal infrastructure - no lifeguards advertised, no beach huts for hire - so bring what you need. Parking should be fine unless you're arriving mid-afternoon on bank holidays. Allow a couple of hours if you're combining it with a walk, or just pop down for an hour if you're after a quick dip. It's free to access and genuinely worth the trip if you're holidaying nearby without wanting to drive towards Great Yarmouth.