Nottinghamshire may be as landlocked as it gets but there are a number of coastal beauty spots with beaches in easy reach for us to get out exploring.
And with winter behind us for another year and spring emerging, many of us will be wanting to get out and enjoy that fresh air as the weather warms up.
Skegness has long been a favourite place to visit for families in Nottinghamshire looking for a day out, while there are other beaches dotted along the east coast which are popular among Nottinghamshire folk.
These include Mablethorpe, Gibraltar Point, Sutton-on-Sea, Scarborough, Whitby, Filey, Cleethorpes, Bridlington and Hunstanton – while Blackpool is little more than three hours away to the north west.
Beaches are not restricted to the seaside, however, with Center Parcs guests flocking to a shore at the Sherwood Forest resort throughout the summer.
There's also great beaches at Rutland Water, Bosworth Water Park and Staunton Harold Reservoir.
But if you want the seaside then here are seven of the closest and best from Nottingham:
Skegness
2 hours, 9 minutes. Key attractions: Arcades, including bowling, crazy golf and adventure play. And don't forget the pleasure beach.
Mablethorpe
2 hours, 14 minutes. Key attraction: Seal sanctuary.
Hunstanton
2 hours, 21 minutes. Key attraction: Sea Life centre.
Filey
2 hours, 44 minutes. Key attraction: Filey Museum.
Whitby
3 hours, 4 minutes. Key attraction: Dracula Experience museum.
Cleethorpes
2 hours, 5 minutes. Key attraction: Pleasure Island Theme Park.
Blackpool
2 hours, 51 minutes. Key attraction: Sandcastle Waterpark and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. There's also three piers to enjoy.
For more on some of the nicest beaches to visit, click here.
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