West Bay Harbour

The harbour at West Bay is proper working stuff - fishing boats, pleasure craft, the lot - rather than some sanitised seaside theatre. You can wander the quays watching the fleet come and go, grab a coffee from one of the cafes dotted around, and watch the light change on those famous rust-coloured cliffs that loom behind everything. It's the kind of place where you'll actually see people doing things rather than just posing for photos.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts West Bay Holiday Park - literally on the doorstep - you won't need to travel anywhere else to find the harbour. The walk takes minutes. Golden Cap Holiday Park sits just 2.7 miles inland, close enough for an easy drive or a decent walk if the weather's decent.

Families get something genuine here. Kids watch the fishing boats unload, there are fish and chip shops that don't feel like a tourist trap, and the whole scene has proper working-harbour energy that beats manufactured attractions hands down. Photographers and walkers are catered for too - the cliffs walk starts right from the harbour edge and delivers one of the best coastal views in Dorset.

The best time to visit is early morning when the fishing boats are actually doing something, or late afternoon when the light softens everything beautifully. Parking can be tight in summer weekends, so go off-season if you can. Admission is free, and there's no time limit - you're welcome to sit on a bench and watch the world go by for as long as you fancy.