The Seaside Museum Herne Bay

The Seaside Museum sits right on Herne Bay's seafront, and it's the sort of place that gets under your skin if you've got any interest in how British seaside culture actually worked. You walk through galleries filled with deckchairs, old bathing machines, vintage postcards, and photographs that capture the peculiar energy of a Victorian resort at its peak.

What strikes you most is how tactile it all feels. Rather than being locked behind glass, there's a real attempt to let you understand what it was like to be a day-tripper in 1920 or 1950. There are interactive bits for kids, but honestly the real draw here is the nostalgia - families who grew up coming to Herne Bay will find themselves properly engaged. Expect to spend a good two hours if you're thorough, or just an hour if you're dipping in between beach time.

It's free entry, which is proper good value. The museum works well as a morning activity before heading to nearby Whitstable for fish and chips, or as a rainy-day backup. If you're staying at Seaview Holiday Park just down the road, it's barely a walk away. Nethergong Camping, the five-star site further out, is close enough for a short trip if the weather turns.

Not everyone's cup of tea - if you're after adrenaline or cutting-edge exhibits, skip it. But for a quiet hour or two learning about how Brits used to take their holidays, it absolutely delivers.