...The best place does seem to be the beach, ...

That is OK for you beach bums but I am a creature of the woods so I inhabit said woods, get less sand in my tail. I only offend the odd hedgehog since few textiles walk in the wide open country more that about 2km from a main road.

I'm with you there - walking amongs the trees is far more relaxing than a beach.  Most of the places I walk can only be reached by car which means it's obvious when people are about.