Southsea Beach

The shingle stretches for miles along Portsmouth's seafront, backed by the sort of Victorian promenade that makes you understand why people still flock here. Southsea Beach isn't fancy or pretentious - it's proper old-school seaside, the kind of place where you can still get a decent portion of fish and chips and watch families doing exactly what they've been doing here for over a century.

The beach itself is a mix of shingle and sand, depending on the tide and how far along you walk. Swimming's fine in season, though the water's bracing rather than warm. What draws most people is the seafront itself - there's the pier if you fancy the arcade and fairground thrills, a slipway if you're into water sports, and plenty of space to just sit with a cup of tea and watch the Solent. On clear days you can see across to the Isle of Wight.

It works best for families wanting a proper seaside day out, or anyone who appreciates the slightly faded glamour of British resort culture. You can easily spend a full day here, though two hours is enough if you're just after a walk and a breather. Head down early if the weather looks decent - summer weekends get rammed.

Staying nearby? The caravan parks around Hayling Island - places like Hayling Island Holiday Park, just four miles away - make logical bases for exploring this stretch of coast. Southsea's free to access and open whenever you fancy, though getting refreshments and attractions running depends on the season.