Shore Road Beach

The pebbles at Shore Road Beach stretch out in that particular Dorset grey-brown that somehow looks better in person than any photograph suggests. It's a proper working beach - fishing boats, a slipway, the whole setup - rather than a manicured resort strip. You get the sense locals have been launching boats here for centuries, which they probably have.

The sweep of the bay facing south means decent light most of the day, and the backdrop of cliffs gives it character without the crowds you'd find at the big Swanage beaches just round the corner. It's the kind of place where you can actually breathe. Families with younger kids might find the pebbles wearing after an hour or so - the beach is fairly exposed and there's not much shelter - but if you've got teenagers who don't need constant entertainment, or you're a walker just wanting to stretch your legs along the shoreline, it works well.

The nearest base would be Swanage itself, just a couple of miles away, where you'll find the usual seaside facilities. If you're staying at Haven Rockley Park or Ulwell Holiday Park - both within five miles - it's worth a morning visit to see how a real working beach operates without the tat of the holiday beaches nearby. Don't expect facilities here; take what you need. Go early or late to avoid the worst of the wind funnelling down the coast.