Leeds

A really lively city with fantastic shops. ;Leeds was voted the UK's best shopping destination by Rough Guide in 2006. The Corn Exchange is a beautiful domed building that houses funky boutiques. Greek Street is a real hot spot for restaurants and bars.

Northumberland

Beadnell Bay

Follow the path from Beadnell village and you get to Beadnell Bay sweeping towards ruined Dunstanburgh Castle in the distance. The beach is backed by an 18th century harbour wall and rugged dunes, and although it is on the east coast it actually faces west, making it a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Suffolk

Southwold Beach

There is a decidedly retro appeal to this one, the pretty multicoloured huts lined up on the beach are so quaint they make you want to put on a frilly-skirted swimming costume and pack a wicker picnic hamper full of ham sandwiches and lashings of ginger beer. The beach itself is a breezy stretch of golden sand with the chi-chi town of Southwold just behind it.

East Sussex

Camber Sands

In the 50s, Camber Sands on the South coast was the epitome of kiss-me-quick seaside fun but recently it has been reborn as a cool resort. Is sunny aspect and sweeping golden dunes make it popular backdrop for fashion shoots when the budget's too tight for Miami. It has also played a supporting role in films (notably standing in for the Sahara in Carry on, Follow that came!)