Beaches Near London \u2013 Camber Sands, East Sussex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis is one of my favourite beaches near London. It is a huge sandy beach which is rare for East Sussex. It has sand dunes at the back and when the tide is out the beach is even bigger. It gets quite deep too once you are in the ocean. <\/p>\n
This beach is quite windy so if you are into Kite Surfing or Wind Surfing this is probably one of the best beaches to do it this close to London. From May to September there are areas on the beach that are dog-friendly too. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train <\/strong>\u2013 one hour 40 minutes\u00a0from London St Pancras International to Rye, with a change at Ashford\u00a0and a short bus ride to the beach. <\/p>\nWest Wittering, West Sussex <\/h2>\nWest Wittering, West Sussex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThis blue flag beach on the south coast has a lot to offer. You can go rock-pooling, check out the salt marshes or take a walk along the nearby South Downs. Or you can lie on the beach and chill. There are lifeguards at this beach during the summer months. <\/p>\n
Check out the beach huts here too. They will give you that retro vibe as will the cafe that serves traditional seaside food. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 one hour 30 minutes from London Victoria to Chichester, plus\u00a0a bus ride to the beach. <\/p>\nBrighton, East Sussex<\/h2>\nBrighton, East Sussex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nProbably the most famous beach near London. Londoners have been flocking to Brighton for hundreds of years. So much so some people call Brighton, London on the sea. It is one of the most cosmopolitan seaside towns in England. <\/p>\n
Brighton has it all. From alternative shops in The Lanes to fish and chips and 99\u2019s on the beachfront. Make sure you visit the amazing restored Brighton Pier too. <\/p>\n
When it is hot it feels like most of London has headed here. The bars are buzzing and the DJs are pumping out tunes. All together now \u201cOh I do like to be beside the seaside\u201d. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 Approximately\u00a0an hour from London Victoria or London Bridge to Brighton Train Station. <\/p>\nMargate, Kent<\/h2>\nMargate, Kent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMargate has been another favourite seaside destination for Londoners. It has gone through a renaissance lately, no doubt with the help of local resident Tracy Emin. <\/p>\n
The beach here is sandy and big and there are plenty of amusements, chic cafes, retro shops and fish and chip shops to keep everyone happy. <\/p>\n
But there is more. Make sure you visit one of the UK\u2019s hidden gems at The Shell Grotto. Then there is also the Turner Contemporary Gallery and Dreamland an amusement park with rides, arcade games and even a roller disco. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 1 hr 30 mins from St Pancras Station. <\/p>\nSouthend On Sea, Essex<\/h2>\nSouthend On Sea, Essex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSouthend On Sea ticks many boxes for a fun day out at the seaside. There is 11km of sandy beaches. 3 of which have Blue Flag awards. Southen also has the world\u2019s longest pier. It is so long that there is a small shuttle train to get you from one end to the other. <\/p>\n
You will also find the usual mix of old-school fun with arcades and amusement parks. Keep an eye out for the new stuff too. New galleries, cafes and restaurants are opening all the time. Does Brighton have a rival finally? <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 Just over an hour from Fenchurch Street. You can also go from Liverpool St which takes a little longer. <\/p>\nBirling Gap, East Sussex<\/h2>\nBirling Gap, East Sussex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFrom sandy beaches and arcades to fossil hunting and towering white cliffs. Birling Gap in East Sussex is a very different beach to Southend. This is a beach for rock pooling and history fans. The Battle of Britain was thought above this beach. <\/p>\n
Birling Gap sits on one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast. Apart from a national park centre shop selling sandwiches, there is nothing else here so you might want to bring your own food and drinks. <\/p>\n
I would also recommend taking a walk along the coastal path to the Grade 2 listed Belle Tout lighthouse. It is also a B&B, so if you really love the area why not book a stay? To get down to Birling Gap you have to walk down a steep set of metal stairs. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 Approximately two hours from London Victoria: Take a train to Eastbourne then a bus from there.<\/p>\nWhitstable, Kent<\/h2>\nWhitstable, Kent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhitstable in Kent is a haven for Oyster lovers. People come here for the food just as much for the beaches. Walk along Harbour Street and High Street to find plenty of places to try them. <\/p>\n
Then walk down to the beaches to admire the colourful houses and beach huts. After you are done with the beach pop into the quirky shops to pick up a souvenir. More and more Londoners are moving down to Whitstable and it is easy to see why. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 Approximately one and a half hours from St Pancras, Cannon Street or Victoria\u00a0stations.<\/p>\nWalton On The Naze, Essex<\/h2>\nWalton On The Naze, Essex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe motto of Walton On The Naze is \u2018the sunny town with sunny people\u2019. That is because Walton On The Naze has the driest climate in Britain. The town is also surrounded by sea on 3 sides. <\/p>\n
Take a walk in the nearby nature reserves to spot common harbour and grey seals. You can also walk on the second-longest pier in England. On the beach look out for turtle and bird fossils. If you want great views, walk up the 86ft shipping tower-turned-art gallery for spectacular panoramic views over the Essex coast.<\/p>\n
You will still find your traditional seaside attractions here too so the town should keep everyone happy. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 Approximately one and a half hours\u00a0from Liverpool Street.<\/p>\nLeigh On Sea, Essex<\/h2>\nLeigh On Sea, Essex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCobbled stoned streets, fisherman sheds and cute cottages. Leigh On Sea in Essex still has that old-world charm. The beach comes and goes with the tide so you might have to wait until the tide is out. <\/p>\n
Make sure you have an empty stomach when you visit here. There are plenty of places selling local seafood, especially on Cockle Row. Also try Osborne\u2019s Cafe and Seafood Hall, which won the 2021 British Food Awards in the Fish\u00a0& Seafood category for its cooked cockles.<\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 50 minutes from London Fenchurch Street. <\/p>\nBroadstairs, Kent<\/h2>\nBroadstairs, Kent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere are 7 beaches here to choose from so even on a sunny day you should find a quiet space. This is a great area for clifftop walks. Central Viking Bay is probably the best beach here for kids. The beach is sandy and there are amusement rides and beach huts. <\/p>\n
Joss Bay is for all you surfers out there. If you are just starting to learn to surf or would like to try it there is a surf school here. <\/p>\n
Botany Bay is the beach where you get away from it all. There are no shops or fun fairs here. Just a Blue Flag-awarded 600ft-long strip of sand and a kiosk in a pretty little cove that\u2019s one of seven along this part of the Kent coast. They are backed up by the longest continuous stretch of chalk cliffs in Britain. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 one hour\u00a040 minutes by train from London St Pancras International, London Victoria, or London Cannon Street to Broadstairs,\u00a0and a short bus ride. <\/p>\nMinnis Bay, Kent<\/h2>\nMinnis Bay, Kent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMinnis Bay in Kent is the beach to keep everyone happy. It has a lovely long sandy beach which has a blue flag award. There is lots of free parking. There is a children\u2019s play area and paddling pool. So that is the kids sorted. <\/p>\n
How about the adults? If you like water sports there is Kite Boarding, Wind Surfing and Sailing. Walkers and cyclists are well-served too with the Viking Coastal Trail, a 32-mile trail along the Thanet coastline.<\/p>\n
If you just want to kick back and relax there is a restaurant and bar with great views. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 one hour 30 minutes from London St Pancras International to Birchington-on-Sea, and a short walk. <\/p>\nMersea Island, Essex<\/h2>\nMersea Island, Essex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMersea Island in Essex is Britain\u2019s most easterly inhabited island so you have to rely on a tide timetable to enjoy the beach. However, this place has so much going for it. To get to the island you have to cross an ancient Roman causeway linking it with the mainland.<\/p>\n
Once you are there head to East Mersea for the quiet beaches to go fossil hunting. In the cliffs, they discovered shark teeth and animal bones dating back 300,000 years.<\/p>\n
For foodies and wine lovers, there are places for you too. West Mersea is full of oyster bars and places to eat. Make sure you visit Mersea Island Vineyard and Brewery to try the local wine and beer. <\/p>\n
Getting There:<\/strong> By Train<\/strong> \u2013 one hour by train from London Liverpool Street to Colchester, then a 45-minute bus to Mersea Island. <\/p>\n