Beach huts are a great British tradition. Maybe it's the fact that we can never trust the weather enough to be able to spend a whole day on the beach without shelter. Or maybe it's because most of us can't afford a home by the sea. Either way, these quirky little colourful boxes have become an endearing symbol of the British seaside. And at Pinewoods campsite, in Wells-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast, you can rent one by the day, complete with deckchairs and a windbreak.

Pinewoods isn't a typical Cool Camping site. Owned by the Coke family - residents of the local manor house Holkham Hall - it's a big, commercial outfit with options for tenters often limited to a field by the boating lake. But come summer, the site opens up the Horse Paddock, a huge and somewhat wild area in contrast to the regimented static caravans dominating the main site. Here you can pick your own pitch and spread out among the swathes of tall grasses. And while the campsite may lack direct sea views and its own expanse of golden sands, that's where the beach huts come in -just a 10-minute walk away on a fantastic beach.



COOL FACTOR Pine-edged dunes and beach huts in reach.

WHO'S IN? Tents, dogs, groups - yes. Vanners - no.

ON SITE The Horse Paddock is a large open site with unmarked pitches for up to 300 tents. It's a bit of a trek to the facilities blocks (with loos and hot showers) on the main site, but there's a row of portaloos and running water in the field. No advance bookings, and no campfires.

OFF SITE Wells has a quay and plenty of quaint, narrow lanes to wander. One of Britain's loveliest beaches, Holkham Bay, is just up the coast, as is Holkham Hall (www.holkham.co.uk), where you'll find plenty to explore.

FOOD AND DRINK For a local pint and good-value bar food, head into Wells for the Globe Inn (01328 710206). The Victoria (01328 713230) is an exceptional gastropub at the entrance to Holkham Hall, with a regularly changing menu.

GETTING THERE From the A149 coast road, follow signs to Wells-next-the-Sea and then to the beach. Pinewoods is almost at the end of Beach Road, on the left.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Take the train to Kings Lynn and then the popular Coasthopper bus to Wells.

OPEN March-end October. The Horse Paddock is only open in the 6-week school summer holidays.

THE DAMAGE Tent (sleeping up to 11) £11-£30; dog £3.