Walmer Beach

The shingle beach at Walmer stretches out flat and wide, the kind of English seaside that doesn't shout about itself. Just south of Deal, it's a proper working beach - fishing boats, nets drying in the sun, the smell of salt and old rope. You won't find fairgrounds or amusement arcades here. What you get instead is space to breathe and a view across to France on a clear day.

Walking along the shore is the main draw. The beach itself is manageable underfoot if you're prepared for shingle - trainers are fine, though proper beach shoes won't hurt. There's a seafront road running parallel if you'd rather stick to tarmac, lined with a handful of cafes and fish and chip shops that have seen better decades but still do the job. Walmer Beach suits people who want a low-key seaside hour or two without the Whitstable crowds. Kids will find it a bit bare if they're expecting attractions, though the beach itself is safe for paddling and shell hunting.

If you're staying at Fallow Fields Camping near Sandwich - that's the obvious base - you're looking at a fifteen-minute drive. Ham Hideaway is closer but the reviews are mixed. The beach is free to access and you can spend as long as you like. Best visited outside school holidays when it's genuinely quiet. Combine it with a walk around Deal itself, which sits just up the coast and has actual character - the high street, the castle, the pier.