Skegness

The donkey rides still clop along the sand here, just as they did when your gran came for her honeymoon. Skegness wears its old-school seaside credentials with pride - this is proper British bucket-and-spade territory where kiss-me-quick hats aren't ironic and the pier still draws crowds on a summer's day.

Fantasy Island looms over the seafront with its rollercoasters and screaming teenagers, while the iconic Jolly Fisherman Railway Statue reminds you that 'Skegness is So Bracing' - a Victorian marketing slogan that's aged surprisingly well. The beach stretches for miles in both directions, golden sand that's genuinely lovely when the sun's out.

Beyond the candyfloss and arcade din lies Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, where serious birdwatchers trek through salt marshes and dunes. It's a world away from the seafront chaos. The Mere offers gentler walking if you fancy a break from the coastal winds.

Lincolnshire's flat farmland means you can see for miles inland, dotted with the occasional church spire. Getting here is straightforward - the A52 runs straight from the M1, or catch the train from Nottingham if you're feeling civilised.

Staying at one of the holiday parks makes perfect sense. Skegness Seaview Caravan Park gets decent reviews from families who return year after year, while the big names like Butlins and Haven offer everything from entertainment to evening shows. You're close enough to walk to the beach but far enough from the weekend crowds to get a proper night's sleep.