Woolacombe

Three miles of pristine golden sand backed by dunes - that's what makes this North Devon resort special. Woolacombe's beach consistently ranks among Britain's finest, and once you see those Atlantic rollers crashing onto the shore, you'll understand why surfers flock here year-round.

The town itself is refreshingly unpretentious. No tacky amusements or gaudy seafront hotels. Just a proper seaside village where fish and chips taste better eaten on the sand, and the Windcutter Hill provides cracking views across the Bristol Channel to Lundy Island on clear days. The beach stretches from Putsborough in the south right up to the rockier coastline near Morte Point - plenty of space even in peak summer.

Surfing's the main draw, obviously. But families love the shallow pools at low tide, and walkers can tackle the South West Coast Path for dramatic clifftop scenery. The Old Schoolroom Craft Gallery showcases local artists if the weather turns, while nearby Woolacombe Lakes offers gentler walking for those who fancy a break from sand between their toes.

Getting here means winding Devon lanes - Barnstaple's your nearest proper town, about 20 minutes inland. The coast road from Ilfracombe takes longer but rewards you with stunning views. Parking's a nightmare in summer, which is where staying at one of the surrounding holiday parks makes perfect sense. You can walk to the beach without the stress of finding a space, then retreat to your base when the day-trippers head home and Woolacombe returns to its peaceful, salt-aired self.