Sidmouth Beach

The pebble beach at Sidmouth sweeps in a generous curve between two dramatic red sandstone cliffs, and it's properly striking when you arrive. The beach itself is all smooth stones underfoot - not the sharpest shingle, which makes it bearable for a decent stay. The real draw is the backdrop: those rust-coloured cliffs tower overhead, weathered into sharp ridges and crevices that look different depending on the light.

It's a straightforward seaside experience, really. Families come to paddle and build castles on the wider sand patches at low tide. Walkers gravitate to the cliff-top paths that run both directions - the eastern route towards Budleigh Salterton is particularly good if you've got time. The water gets crowded with swimmers in summer, and there's a seaside town vibe with ice cream vans and the usual beachfront offerings.

Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're walking and want a proper look at the geology. The pebbles do shift underfoot, so water shoes matter if you're sensitive. Free to access - there's a car park nearby that charges in season.

Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping sits just 5 miles inland, making Sidmouth an easy half-day excursion from a longer park holiday. It's not dramatic enough to plan a whole trip around, but it's exactly what you want if you're based locally and fancy a morning by the sea. The cliffs are the thing here - photograph them in afternoon light.