On a sunny April morning I drove down the M2 motorway towards the destination of (frequent trains from are available, which take you right to the main attractions, but the parking the car is just as easy).

While some of the people I went with were looking forward to the leisurely stroll across the to plonk down for the day, I had other ideas in mind. There's a fair bit to see in , but as the town is easily explored on foot, it's do-able within a day. With the sandy shores to the left of me, I first ventured to the famed on the right-hand side.

Dreamland is a vintage amusement park, which regularly hosts music gigs (so check it's not closed for a private event before going).

Walking through (it's free entry), there's the kitsch roller disco, arcade games, and funfair rides to enjoy.

There's all that you can expect at a traditional fairground, such as sugary doughnuts, food stalls, and music in the background.

But, where the main stage is - when a performance isn't on - it's a free open-air cinema showcasing children's films.

After venturing in the cosy funfair, the next stop was the bustling old and new town.

Full of shops, pubs and restaurants - and plenty of fish and chip shops - it's a great place to grab a bite to eat and soak up the buzzy atmosphere.

Nearby is the mysterious Grotto Shell - an underground passageway adorned with pretty mosaic-like shells.

Discovered back in 1835, nobody knows who made it, why it's there, or what it could be for.

Rather intriguing, the small fee to enter won't reveal too much aside from the elaborate tunnel that can only spark your imagination.

Elsewhere, for a more informative viewing experience, there's the Turner Contemporary art gallery.

With an evolving door of exhibitions, when I went, the Resistance was on - an exploration of how photography shaped important protests in Britain.

From the suffragettes to the mass protest against the Iraq War, it's an intriguing dive into modern history.