A tale of two holidays and two political leaders: One gets his shorts on, the other stays buttoned up... guess who's who

Conservative leader David Cameron seemed to have got the hang of it yesterday, wearing shorts and a polo shirt for a barefoot stroll on the beach with his wife Samantha at Harlyn Bay near Padstow, Cornwall.

But Gordon Brown looked less comfortable on a visit to Whitlingham country park near Norwich on Saturday, the first day of his summer break.

David Cameron and his wife Samantha sit on the beach in Cornwall

Where's your bikini Gordon? The Brown family visit Whitlingham country park in Norfolk

And the two-week holiday the notorious workaholic has booked on the Suffolk coast is unlikely to become any more relaxing thanks to a double threat to his peace and quiet.

Local campaigners in Southwold have already announced they will form a human chain at the promenade on Wednesday to protest at plans to cut spending on sea defences - making it a no-go area for Mr Brown and his family.

Police have also been told that antigovernment protesters are planning to hold a noisy rave-style party near the PM's bolthole, 19th century Shadingfield Hall.

'Look Gordon, there's the sun': Prime Minister Gordon Brown and wife Sarah enjoyed sunny weather on the first day of their break

So in love: Samantha and David walk hand-in-hand on the beach

A local businessman, who asked not to be identified, said: 'Two police officers came in and asked us to look for anyone acting suspiciously or asking directions to the hall.

'They said they'd received a tip-off that protesters wanted to have some sort of rave in a field to try to disturb the Prime Minister.'

Farmers have also been told to watch out for anyone moving on to their fields with loudhailers or sound equipment.

Sources close to Mr Brown confirmed he would be avoiding Southwold next Wednesday when members of the Blyth Estuary Group will use his visit to highlight their anger at land being surrendered to the sea.

Shadingfield Hall is a grade II listed building set in five acres of wooded grounds with room for 15 people and a lodge in the grounds for six more. It costs £4,500 a week to rent.

Its website says that it offers 'intimate seclusion' - ideal for a Prime Minister battered by a faltering economy and a series of by-election defeats - although police with dogs have been patrolling the grounds. Steel barriers have also been installed to stop suicide bombers.

Mr Brown is staying at the hall with his wife Sarah and their sons John and Fraser.

They are due to be joined by Mrs Brown's brother and his family and by Mr Brown's brother, Andrew.

Meanwhile in Cornwall, Mr Cameron is believed to have spent around £2,000 booking a cottage for a week with Samantha and their children Ivan, Nancy and Arthur. A source said: 'He is finding it very therapeutic.'

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister is on holiday and all of his security arrangements are being dealt with by Suffolk police.'

A Suffolk police spokesman said the force was 'pro-active' with illegal raves.