Skegness

The first whiff of sea air hits you before you even see the beach - proper salty stuff mixed with fish and chips and candy floss. Skegness has been doing seaside holidays the same way for decades, and there's something wonderfully honest about its refusal to reinvent itself.

The golden sands stretch for miles, backed by Victorian seafront that's seen better days but still draws thousands each summer. Fantasy Island provides the thrills - a proper theme park with roller coasters that'll have you queuing alongside excited teenagers and terrified parents. The water sports at Skegness Water Leisure Park offer a gentler pace, though the North Sea rarely gets what you'd call warm.

Away from the seafront, this is a working Lincolnshire town with a strong community feel. The churches - from St. Mary to Sacred Heart - speak to its long history, while Skegness Library anchors a surprisingly lively town centre. The Go-Karts attraction keeps families happy when the weather turns, which it often does.

Lincolnshire's countryside rolls inland from here - flat farmland punctuated by drainage ditches and the occasional windmill. It's not dramatic, but there's beauty in its vastness. The fishing lake offers respite for anglers seeking quieter moments away from the seafront crowds.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A52 runs direct from the A1, and Walls Lane station connects to the main rail network. Boston lies 20 miles south if you need a bigger town for shopping or services.

Staying at one of the many holiday parks makes perfect sense here. You're close enough to walk to the beach and Fantasy Island, but far enough back to escape when the day trippers arrive in force. Butlins and Haven offer the full resort experience, while smaller sites like Skegness Seaview Caravan Park provide a quieter base.