Mablethorpe

The North Sea stretches endlessly beyond a wide sandy beach that's proper old-school British seaside. Mablethorpe clings to tradition in the best possible way - donkey rides still plod along the sand, and kids shriek with delight at the Mablethorpe Funfair that feels unchanged since the 1980s.

This Lincolnshire coastal town doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. The Queen's Park Paddling Pool draws families on sunny afternoons, while a round of Crazy Golf settles any holiday disputes about who's actually good at sport. It's gloriously unpretentious.

Lincolnshire's coastline here runs remarkably straight, with miles of sandy beaches stretching north and south. The countryside inland rolls gently across agricultural land - it's flat cycling country if you fancy exploring beyond the seafront. Trusthorpe sits just inland, marked by Saint Peter's Church and the Trusthorpe Methodist Church, both worth a quick look if you're touring the area.

Getting here couldn't be simpler. Mablethorpe lies about 20 miles east of Lincoln, connected by the A52 and A1104. The nearest railway station is actually in Skegness, roughly 15 miles south, but most visitors drive anyway.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around makes perfect sense. Haven Golden Sands Holiday Park puts you right by the action, while Woodthorpe Leisure Park offers a bit more space to breathe. The town centre's compact enough to walk everywhere, and having a base nearby means you can nip back for afternoon tea when the sea breeze gets too brisk. It's seaside holidays done properly - no fuss, just fun.