Burnham-on-Sea

Seven miles of flat sandy beach stretch along this Somerset coastal town, where the tide retreats so far you can walk for what feels like miles across the wet sand. Burnham-on-Sea sits quietly between Weston-super-Mare and Bridgwater, a proper seaside town that hasn't quite succumbed to the bucket-and-spade brigade but retains enough character to make it worth exploring.

The lighthouse stands right on the beach - Britain's shortest, they say - a squat little thing that's become the town's unofficial symbol. Sand dunes back the beach for miles, creating a wild landscape that feels surprisingly remote despite the nearby holiday parks. When the tide's out, which it often is thanks to the massive tidal range of the Bristol Channel, you'll find cockle beds and mudflats teeming with wading birds.

Burnham makes a cracking base for exploring the Somerset Levels, those famously flat wetlands that flood spectacularly in winter. The town itself has that slightly faded seaside charm - a few decent pubs, fish and chip shops that know their business, and a high street that's seen better days but still functions. It's not Bournemouth, and that's rather the point.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The M5 deposits you practically on the doorstep, while Bridgwater, eight miles inland, offers proper shopping and railway connections to London. The nearby holiday parks like Sandy Glade and Beachside make perfect sense for families wanting easy beach access without the crowds of the bigger resorts. You're also well placed for day trips to Glastonbury Tor or the Mendip Hills - both less than an hour's drive through some lovely Somerset countryside.