Skegness

Candyfloss and donkey rides never quite went out of fashion here. This traditional seaside resort still draws families back year after year, despite competition from cheaper European package holidays. The famous Jolly Fisherman statue welcomes visitors with his arms spread wide - a proper British welcome that's been greeting holidaymakers since 1908.

Skegness Beach stretches for miles, though the sand can disappear at high tide. Fair warning. When the weather plays ball, it's lovely for building sandcastles and dodging the occasional North Sea wave. The Fairy Dell Paddling Pool offers a warmer alternative for little ones who find the sea a bit bracing.

Beyond the obvious seaside attractions, Natureland Seal Sanctuary provides genuine wildlife encounters. The seals here are rescued from around the coast, and watching feeding time beats any theme park show. Captain Kids Adventure World and Pleasure Land keep older children entertained when beach games lose their appeal.

Butlins Skegness remains the town's biggest draw, though opinions vary wildly on its charms. The Original Butlins Chalet stands as a reminder of the resort's heyday, when Billy Butlin's holiday camps revolutionised British leisure. Love it or loathe it, you can't ignore its place in seaside history.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense here. Most are within walking distance of the main attractions, and parking in town centre during peak season requires the patience of a saint. Skegness Seaview Caravan Park gets decent reviews from families who've made the trip.

Reaching Skegness takes commitment - the A158 from Lincoln winds through proper Lincolnshire countryside for about an hour. The train line from Nottingham via Boston offers a more relaxing journey, though services can be patchy outside summer months.