Clacton-on-Sea

Candy floss, slot machines, and that distinctive smell of salt air mixed with fish and chips - this is proper British seaside at its most unapologetic. Clacton-on-Sea doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a traditional resort town that's been welcoming families for generations.

The town's mile-long pier stretches boldly into the North Sea, complete with amusements and that slightly windswept feeling you get from standing over the waves. Behind it, the seafront bustles with arcades, ice cream parlours, and the sort of shops selling inflatable dolphins that you'll find in every British seaside town worth its salt.

Clacton's sandy beach is the real draw here. When the sun's out, it fills with deckchairs and sandcastles. The promenade runs the length of the seafront, perfect for an evening stroll when the day trippers have headed home.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the town sits on the Essex coast about 80 miles northeast of London, with regular train connections from Liverpool Street. It's also well-connected by road via the A133.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this stretch of Essex coastline. Places like Parkdean Resorts Highfield Grange and Weeley Bridge offer easy access not just to Clacton itself, but to quieter coastal spots like St Osyth and the Tendring Peninsula. You're also within striking distance of Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, for when you fancy a change from seaside pleasures.