If you’re looking for a relaxing or invigorating break away from the hustle and bustle of London, there’s nothing like a trip to a seaside town or a sandy beach. Fortunately, you can get to some beautiful sandy, shingle and pebble beaches in a relatively short distance from the capital. You’ll also find chalk cliffs, fresh seafood, world-famous piers and many more delights.
So, whether you’re planning a day trip to a great British seaside town or a longer holiday in a peaceful spot by tidal pools, take a look at our list of some of the best beaches near London.
5. Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
We’ll start our list farthest away with some locations that are great for a weekend getaway or longer. Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight don’t offer the closest beaches to London, but they’re more than worth a visit.
In Hampshire, Southsea Beach in Portsmouth and Lee on Solent Beach are both shingle beaches that are popular with holidaygoers. Southsea Beach offers a classic amusement park pier, and nearby there’s an aquarium and even a castle!
Dorset’s Bournemouth Beach is a must-see and undoubtedly one of the best beaches near London. A genuine sandy beach, Bournemouth Beach boasts a host of awards and has been named one of the best beaches in England numerous times.
What’s more, many of the smaller beaches within the seven-mile stretch of Bournemouth Beach are blue flag beaches, meaning that they are clean with excellent water quality. Don’t forget to take advantage of the candy-coloured beach huts, too!
Lastly, we can’t forget to mention the Isle of Wight – which you might even be able to see from Bournemouth Beach!
The peaceful Priory Bay Beach at the Isle of Wight’s northeast is a mix of golden sand and a few pebbles, so it’s a great attraction for island visitors. And if you’re interested in rock pools, head just a little southward from Priory Bay Beach to St Helens Duver, where you’ll find plenty of sea creatures hiding in the limestone crevices.
4. Moving onto the West Sussex coast
Next, let’s move eastward along the south coast and get a little closer to the capital. If you’re located in West London, West Sussex might be the perfect location for you.
West Sussex offers some of the best beaches near London with lots of beach types to explore.
East Beach, Littlehampton is another award-winner. It’s a charming blue flag pebble beach with some sand and fascinating tidal pools, too. Enjoy the promenade and gardens here. And don’t miss the nearby West Beach is a nature reserve with sand dunes – you can also take a stop at the visitor centre!
West Wittering Beach is another West Sussex star, boasting grasses and sunny sands. Beach visitors can enjoy watersports and even beach barbecues. Of course, you can enjoy colourful beach huts in West Wittering, too!
3. East Sussex coast – Brighton beach and beyond
With East Sussex, we’re getting to some of the closest beaches to London. Like West Sussex, East Sussex offers you several different kinds of beaches – but you’ll certainly find ones that have become well known.
Camber Sands is just what it sounds like – a mostly sandy beach with the only sand dunes you’ll see in East Sussex. The long stretch of golden sand at this beach is so picturesque that it’s been used in many movies and other media! Camber Sands is also a great spot for watersports such as kitesurfing.
And that’s not all East Sussex has to offer. How could we discuss the best beaches near London without mentioning the vibrant Brighton Beach? This pebbly beach is famous for its fine Victorian pier as well as beach and water sports, classic seaside town food and drink, and its pretty beach huts. It’s no wonder this spot is so popular among Londoners and tourists.
When you’re finished having fun on Brighton Beach, why not head over to the nearby Butcher’s Wood and explore the woodland trails there? Or, just a few minutes from Brighton Beach, you can walk to the historic Brighton Pavilion. There’s so much to see in this East Sussex city that you’ll want to spend several days.
2. Kent coast for a choice of sandy beaches
When you think of the seaside in Kent, you may think first of those imposing white cliffs at Dover. But, of course, Kent has some of the best beaches near London, too.
Broadstairs has several beautiful beaches just nearby, such as Botany Bay, one of Kent’s most photographed beaches. Its chalk cliffs, rock pools and sandy beach make it exceptionally scenic and beloved by locals and tourists alike. Botany Bay is also a blue flag beach, meaning it’s clean and well kept.
Very close to Botany Bay is another beloved sandy beach – Viking Bay Beach. This beach is located near the town centre of Broadstairs, which is known for its connections to Charles Dickens. From Viking Bay, you can gaze at Kent’s beautiful white cliffs amid the comfort of beach huts and holidaygoers relaxing on golden sand.
Between Botany Bay and Viking Bay lies another beloved sandy beach – Joss Bay. What makes Joss Bay stand out is that it’s popular among surfers. But for more relaxed holidaygoers, it also has a golf course just nearby!
Farther to the west lies Whitstable Beach. This is a pebble and shingle beach just over an hour from London, and it’s got plenty of appeal thanks to its watersports and lovely scenery. Whitstable Beach also benefits from all the attractions of Whitstable the town, including famously delicious seafood and independent shops on the historic Harbour Street. Make sure to dine on some oysters while you’re there!
But even that’s not all Kent has to offer! Sunny Sands Beach is a well-loved sandy beach near Folkestone that’s definitely worth a visit.
And Folkestone’s beach areas are just at the edge of the Kent Downs National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), so once you’re finished having fun by the sea, why not explore the beautiful sights to see inland?
And for lovers of shingle beaches, Dungeness Beach has the longest stretch of shingle in Europe. With its rather stark appearance, it’s not the cosiest spot, but it is a great location for taking photos.
1. Essex coast – the closest to London
Our last set of coastal beauties is in Essex. Here, you can get to some of the best beaches near London in less than an hour – so it’s a great area to head to for day trips.
Southend on Sea, with its Adventure Island theme park, is often mentioned as being conveniently close to London. However, it’s not the most highly scoring beach among tourists, so we recommend checking out more options.
Clacton-on-Sea is a good choice. It has a mostly sandy beachfront with lovely gardens and a classic Victorian pier and fun park.
Walton on the Naze is another great destination. This charming town with winding streets is a classic British seaside spot with a sandy beach, a pier with entertainment and lots of nature to explore too.
Mersea Island is one of Essex’s hidden gems. This island can be reached via a causeway at low tide – so check tide tables before you go! Once you’re at Mersea Island, you can enjoy sandy beaches, seafood and beautiful scenery.
Last but not least, there’s Frinton on Sea. This location is Which? magazine’s top choice for a beach near London – for good reason. Close to Walton on the Naze, Frinton on Sea is a quiet, clean beach with a calm atmosphere – perfect for dozing on the sand or relaxing with family.
Honourable mentions
There are a couple more beautiful beaches near London that we’ll mention – but they’re not coastal ones.
You’ll find Frensham Beach at the edge of Frensham Great Pond in Surrey. It’s a sandy spot that’s great for swimming, with a handy car park available for visitors.
Within London itself, Ruislip Lido offers a sandy beach among woodland. Although the lido is an artificially created reservoir, it looks just like a gorgeous natural lake. One unusual perk of this spot is the charming railway around it. However, take note – there’s no swimming in the lido, so this is a spot just for seeing the sights.
Staying safe
Before you head out, remember to check the latest information on your beach of choice to ensure that the water is still safe and your desired activity is allowed. Problems such as algae can flourish unexpectedly on beaches near London, so keep an eye on beach conditions as you plan.
Also, don’t forget to check out when high tide will be during your visit. If you’re aiming to lie on the sand or look at some little sea creatures in rock pools, high tide will make that difficult – so aim to head on down at low tide instead.
Lastly, rules and amenities often change seasonally, so be sure you know what to expect before you go.
Another benefit of checking up-to-date info is that you’ll see what special events might be on when you arrive! Many beachside towns have warm weather festivals or winter illuminations and activities, so you could get an extra bonus from your trip to the sea.
How do you get to beaches near London?
Driving is a popular option for getting to the seaside, and many of the beaches we’ve mentioned have car parks for your convenience. However, some prefer to take a train journey from transit centres like St Pancras International or London Victoria. By train, you can get to some seaside spots in less than an hour.
Make the most of your beach escape
Whether you’re heading out for a day on the sunny sands or a longer break with friends, you’ll want to make the most of your time by the seaside. If your aim is to make great memories and relax, there’s nothing better than having a lovely spot to come home to where you can really unwind and enjoy your holiday.
And if you’re traveling in a larger group, that means spending quality time together in a lovely setting, not separating to go to different hotel rooms.
So, to ensure your trip to the beach is the very best it could be, you’ll want to opt for a beautiful holiday house by the coast. Choose one with luxe features like a hot tub, cinema room and games room for maximum fun and bonding time. And with a holiday cottage that’s truly unique, you’ll be able to snap gorgeous photos you can treasure forever.
It’s also worth remembering that many of the beaches we’ve mentioned are dog-friendly. In fact, unlike some other holiday types, beach holidays are perfect for bringing your pup along. That’s why a dog-friendly holiday home is ideal. Your dog will have plenty of room to run, wander and lounge both indoors and outside, and it’s easy to pop out for a walk when needed.
Enjoy the best beaches near London with kate & tom’s
There’s no greater luxury than lounging on a warm beach on a summer’s day.
That’s why you’ll want to make the rest of your seaside trip just as indulgent. Whether you’re heading to the coast for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, hen party, reunion or just a getaway from the city, you want every moment of your stay to be truly special.
kate & tom’s is here to help you find your perfect seaside holiday cottage. Each one of our holiday homes stands out for its unique looks, sumptuous comfort and additional features to keep the fun and relaxation going from morning to night. And since we have holiday houses that sleep ten, twenty, thirty or even forty, there’s no limit to the number of loved ones you can bring for your special bash.
Ready to choose your coastal home near London that’s just a walk away from the beach? Call on kate & tom’s to ensure your trip to the beach includes a haven to return to after your day by the water. Any questions? Just reach out to us at [email protected].
