Norwich

Medieval barns and wide empty beaches define this stretch of Norfolk coast that feels properly remote. The postcode NR12 0AL puts you squarely in Waxham territory, where the massive 16th-century Waxham Great Barn dominates the landscape - one of the largest surviving medieval barns in England and now housing both a museum and cafe. It's a proper time capsule.

Waxham beach stretches for miles without a pier or promenade in sight. Just dunes, shingle and endless North Sea horizons. The nature reserve here is brilliant for birdwatching, especially when combined with a trip to Stubb Mill Raptor Watchpoint where buzzards and kestrels hunt over the reed beds. Much quieter than the bucket-and-spade crowds further south.

Palling village sits inland, marked by its distinctive village sign that tells the story of local farming life. Three churches - Saint John, Saint Margaret of Antioch, and St John the Evangelist - speak to the area's long history, though the communities they served have shrunk considerably over the centuries.

This corner of Norfolk sits about 20 miles northeast of Norwich city, reached via the A149 coast road that can get busy in summer but is lovely the rest of the year. Great Yarmouth lies 15 miles south if you need proper shops or a railway station.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense here. You're ideally placed for both the wild coastline and the southern Broads, with boat trips and river walks just a short drive inland. The area works best as a base for exploring rather than a destination in itself - though that's exactly what gives it such peaceful appeal.