Seaside

The shingle beach at Whitstable stretches out proper wide at low tide, with that particular Kent light that makes everything look sharper than it should. This isn't a manicured seaside resort - it's the real thing, where local fishermen still work alongside the tourists and the air smells unmistakably of salt and brine.

What you're really here for is the seafood. The oyster trade has run through Whitstable's veins since Tudor times, and you can taste that history in every restaurant along the seafront. Grab something from one of the beachfront shacks or sit down proper at one of the oyster bars if your budget stretches that far. The pebbles get everywhere - genuinely everywhere - so wear shoes you don't mind ruining.

Walkers will find the beach walks manageable and genuinely rewarding. Head east along the shore and you'll lose most of the crowds within twenty minutes. It's not dramatic scenery, but there's something honest about it. The sea's always doing something different depending on the light and the tide.

Muswell Manor Holiday Park sits just 4.4 miles inland, making it a sensible base if you want beach days without sleeping to the sound of waves. Plan for a full afternoon minimum - two hours just isn't enough to do the seafood justice. Summer weekends are absolutely rammed. Go on a weekday morning in shoulder season and you'll have a far better time. Admission's free, as beaches tend to be.