Late-summer in Rye means crooked cobbles, a climbable church tower with views to marsh and sea, and a compact riverside keep. Spend a day wandering Mermaid Street, climbing St Mary’s, and — if you’ve been before — catching a Camber Sands sunset.

Make the most of a long day in Bath: take a mid-morning train from London, lunch in the Pump Room, spend relaxed time in the Roman Baths, stroll from Pulteney Bridge to the Royal Crescent, catch sunset at Alexandra Park and (optionally) cap the day with a rooftop soak.

Less than 75 minutes from London, Brighton packs Regency exotica, independent lanes and a lively pebble beach into one brilliant day. Start with lunch in the Lanes, tour the Royal Pavilion, soak up the seafront with fish’n’chips, then catch sundowners on Madeira Drive.