Devon

The red sandstone cliffs here tell Devon's geological story in vivid detail, their russet faces catching the morning light like burnished copper. This stretch of coast between Exmouth and Dawlish feels properly seaside without the crowds that swamp Torquay or Plymouth during peak season.

Exmouth's seafront still has that faded grandeur thing going on. The town proper sits where the River Exe meets the sea, giving you both river walks and proper beach time within minutes of each other. Dawlish Warren's nature reserve is a quick hop along the coast - brilliant for birdwatching if you're into that sort of thing, though the main draw is really just the sweeping sandy beach that stretches for miles.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The railway line hugs this coastline beautifully - one of the most scenic train rides in Britain, frankly. Exeter's your nearest big town, twenty minutes inland, but you're really here for the coast.

What makes this area work so well for a holiday park base is the variety within easy reach. You've got the South Devon Railway steam line running from Buckfastleigh if you fancy a day out, Powderham Castle sits just up the Exe estuary, and the whole of Dartmoor opens up once you head inland. But honestly, with beaches this good and coastal paths this dramatic, you might not bother leaving at all.

The clifftop walks between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton are particularly lovely on a clear morning. Pack a flask and make a proper day of it.