Sheerness

Ferry horns echo across the Medway as container ships lumber past this working port town on the Isle of Sheppey. Sheerness isn't trying to be pretty - it's a proper industrial town where the docks dominate the skyline and the smell of salt air mixes with diesel fumes. But there's something rather honest about it all.

The beaches here are wide and windswept, perfect for long walks when you want to clear your head. Sheerness Golf Club sits right on the coast, offering some cracking views across the Thames Estuary even if your swing's having an off day. The town itself is quiet during the week - locals go about their business while seagulls patrol the high street.

Venture beyond the port and you'll find Queenborough Castle's atmospheric ruins, a medieval fortress that once guarded the entrance to the Medway. Holy Trinity church stands as the town's most recognisable landmark, its spire visible from miles away. For a bit of elevation, head to Rape Hill - the views from this modest peak stretch across the island's flat marshland.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The train from London Victoria takes about 90 minutes, stopping at both Queenborough and Sheerness-on-Sea stations. The crossing over the Kingsferry Bridge feels like entering another world - suddenly you're surrounded by big skies and endless mudflats.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring this corner of Kent. You're well placed for day trips to Canterbury or Whitstable, but there's something to be said for having Sheppey as your base. The pace is slower here, and after a day wandering the marshes or watching ships navigate the estuary, you'll appreciate the peace.