West Beach

West Beach sprawls along Littlehampton's seafront like any proper Sussex seaside stretch - shingle, sea, and sky in the order nature intended. It's the sort of place you pop down to for a walk rather than to lie about all day, though families do pitch up with buckets and spades when the weather's decent.

The beach itself is wide enough at low tide, backed by the promenade and a decent line of beach huts that add a bit of colour. You get views across to the River Arun mouth on one side and east along the coast on the other. The shingle can be brutal on bare feet, so flip-flops are essential. There's nothing fancy here - no attractions built into the sand, no entertainment - but that's rather the point. It's a working beach where people actually swim and fish.

Walkers will find the coastal path accessible and pleasant, linking through to other stretches of Sussex shoreline if you fancy extending your outing. The promenade has cafes and shops within spitting distance, so you're not entirely roughing it. Families with small children might find the shingle tiresome after an hour or two, and the lack of facilities like inflatables or activities means older kids could get restless.

If you're based at South Downs Caravan Park a few miles inland, West Beach makes an easy afternoon trip. It's honest, unpretentious seaside - you won't leave bowled over, but you'll understand why locals keep coming back.