Weymouth

Golden sand stretches for miles along one of England's finest Georgian seafronts, backed by pastel-coloured terraces that have welcomed holidaymakers since King George III made this his regular summer retreat. The beach here is proper lovely - wide, sandy, and perfect for families, with the added bonus of being one of the few places where you can swim on both sides of the same stretch of coast thanks to the unique geography of the Jurassic Coast.

Weymouth Bay curves gracefully around to Portland Harbour, one of the largest man-made harbours in the world. The town buzzes during summer months but never feels overcrowded like some coastal resorts. Beyond the main beach, the landscape quickly turns wild and dramatic. Chesil Beach - that extraordinary 18-mile pebble barrier - stretches westward, while inland you'll find peaceful woodland walks through places like Dairy House Coppice and the various smaller copses that dot the countryside around Friar Wadden Hill.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Direct trains from London Waterloo take just over two hours, while the A354 brings you straight down from the M3. Dorchester, the county town, sits just eight miles inland if you fancy a day trip to explore Thomas Hardy country.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around Weymouth makes perfect sense for exploring this stretch of the Jurassic Coast. You're within easy reach of both the town's attractions and the wilder coastline beyond, plus having your own base means you can avoid the summer parking scramble in the town centre.