Burnham-on-Sea

Low tide here reveals one of Britain's most dramatic expanses of sand - a vast golden canvas stretching for miles that transforms this Somerset seaside town into something quite special. Burnham-on-Sea sits where the River Parrett meets the Bristol Channel, giving it a proper estuary feel that's different from your typical bucket-and-spade resort.

The town's famous lighthouse perches right on the beach rather than a clifftop - Britain's shortest lighthouse, locals will tell you with a hint of pride. Walk south and you'll hit Berrow Beach, where the sand seems to go on forever when the tide's out. It's proper kite-flying territory, though the wind can be fierce.

Don't expect Vegas-style entertainment here. This is old-school seaside, complete with amusement arcades and fish shops that haven't changed much since the 1980s. The Blessed Virgin Mary church offers a moment of medieval calm if the seafront gets too blustery.

Getting here means a drive - the nearest railway station is Highbridge, about three miles inland. From there, it's bus or taxi. The M5 brings you within striking distance, then it's A-roads through proper Somerset countryside.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for fish and chips, but far enough away to escape when day-trippers descend on sunny weekends. The surrounding area offers Cheddar Gorge within half an hour's drive, and the Quantock Hills for proper walking. Plus, having your own base means you can time beach visits for low tide - when Burnham really shows off.