South Beach Lowestoft

The seafront at Lowestoft's south end is what you'd expect from an English seaside town that's seen better days but refuses to go quietly. Wide shingle beach, proper golden when the light's right, backed by the kind of Victorian promenade that makes you wonder what it looked like in 1920. The pier's long gone, but there's a certain honesty to that - you're here for the sea air and the walk, not Instagram moments.

It works best for people who actually like beaches without the theme park nonsense. Walkers will find the coastal path decent, especially heading south towards Kessingland. Families with younger kids might manage an hour of paddling and fish and chips before getting restless, but don't expect arcades or entertainment venues. The shingle can be harsh on feet, so decent shoes matter.

There's a modest esplanade with cafes and the usual seaside attractions scattered about. Nothing costs much. The water's cold even in summer - this is the North Sea, after all. Best visited on a clear day when you can actually see across to the continent. Winter's a different proposition: windswept and moody, which some people prefer.

If you're staying at Pakefield Holiday Park just up the road, South Beach is an easy walk. Azure Seas and the Kessingland options are also close enough for a morning outing. It's not a destination in itself, but it's a proper functioning seaside that doesn't pretend to be something it's not. Worth an afternoon.