The Kildare

The gulls wake you before the alarm does, and if you crack the window you'll catch salt air rolling in off the North Sea — Skegness mornings smell of chip fat and possibilities in equal measure.

The Kildare bridges two worlds: proper guest house rooms if you want a mattress and a cooked breakfast, or camping pods in the garden for those after something closer to canvas without the faff of tent pegs. It suits couples doing a nostalgic seaside weekend, families who can't agree whether they're camping or not, and anyone chasing that particular East Coast blend of bucket-and-spade tradition and fresh air. Skegness itself delivers exactly what it promises — pier, arcades, miles of sand, and that unapologetic holiday-town energy. Dogs might be welcome but worth asking first, especially if you're planning on a pod.

There's wifi onsite, which feels almost contrary to the point but comes in handy for checking tide times. Campfires are a maybe — ask when you arrive rather than assuming. Open all year, so you can have the beach to yourself in February if you're brave enough.