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London is an incredible city, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from it all and sink your toes into the sand. Luckily, plenty of brilliant beaches near London are perfect for a relaxing day trip or a family day out.
Best beaches near London around an hour away
There’s nothing like escaping the city for a day with your toes in the sand. Plenty of beaches are just a short drive away or can be reached on public transport without too much fuss. Here are my favourites.
1. Ruislip Lido
- Distance from London: 17 miles (just over an hour)
Ruislip Lido combines all the fun of the seaside with an adventure trail in the woods. Located just over an hour’s drive from London, Ruislip Lido is the closest beach to the capital for a quick family road trip and is accessible from the centre via the Bakerloo and Metropolitan tube lines. While technically not a coastal spot, Ruislip Lido offers sandy shores and great outdoor facilities on the banks of a 60-acre lake surrounded by scenic woodland.
Kids will love the pirate-themed play frame and the spacious woodland trails. Two large car parks – one for permit holders and another open for all-day pay and display – provide ample space for you to leave your vehicle. There’s also a pizza and carvery restaurant, The Waters Edge, where you can enjoy a meal or grab a quick bite.
2. Shoebury Common Beach
- Distance from London: 47 miles (one hour and 30 minutes)
Shoebury Common Beach in Southend-on-Sea is one of the best beaches near London to reach by train and is great for a relaxed family day out.
You can get to Shoebury Common from Stratford in around one hour and 30 minutes on the Greater Anglia train service heading to Southend Victoria. From here, it’s just a quick bus ride on the number nine to reach the coast.
You’ll also find accessible toilets and car parking close to the shore. It’s worth noting that dogs aren’t allowed on the beach in the summer months, so bear that in mind if you plan to travel with furry friends.
3. Brighton Beach
- Distance from London: 53 miles (one hour and 40 minutes)
One of the best beaches near London by train, Brighton Beach takes approximately one hour and 40 minutes to reach via public transport. If I’m heading out to Brighton Beach, I’ll usually hop on the Thameslink service to Brighton from London Bridge Station, as this is the quickest route with no changes. Brighton is a super stylish location, and the beachfront and pier are some of the most iconic landmarks in the UK.
Brighton Pier also has a range of great places to eat and drink, such as the Palm Court Restaurant and Horatio’s Bar. Thrill-seekers can try out the Brighton Zipline, while couples can enjoy a scenic stroll along the promenade.
4. Folkestone Beach
- Distance from London: 63 miles (one hour and a half)
Folkestone Beach in Kent is an ideal spot for a relaxed mini break at the seaside. With its classic Edwardian coastal town feel and stunning sandy shore, Folkestone Beach is a lovely place for a long walk and a great spot to try fresh seafood.
Stroll along the Leas and take in the views of the Channel or enjoy a glass of wine on the Folkestone Harbour Arm. You can get to Folkestone is around two hours by car or around one hour 30 minutes by train on the Southeastern line.
Best beaches near London around two hours away
Whether you want a romantic weekend on the coast or a fun getaway with friends, you’ll find plenty of southern beaches for a stylish mini break that isn’t too far from the city. Take in the iconic sights at some of the best-known British beaches near London, experience the local nightlife or enjoy romantic sunset strolls on the beachfront promenade. These holiday hot spots are some of the best beaches for a day trip from London.
5. Frensham Beach
- Distance from London: 41 miles (two hours)
Located around a two-hour drive or a two-hour train journey from London, Frensham Beach sits on the shore of Frensham Pond and is a great inland getaway that feels like a trip to the coast. The large swimming pond is surrounded by gorgeous heathland, giving the area a sheltered feel that’s lovely on sunny days.
The lake also has extensive parking, designated swimming zones and a café snack bar that’s open year round. Frensham Pond tends to get busy during the height of summer, so it’s a good option to visit out of season.
6. Whitstable Beach
- Distance from London: 60 miles (two hours)
Located on the UK’s scenic East Coast, Whitstable Beach in Kent is one of the best beaches near London for a romantic mini-break. This quaint fishing town is home to a gorgeous pebble and sand beach with vintage beach huts and scenic coastal walks. Visitors can meander around Whitstable Harbour and browse the stalls at the Harbour Market or walk along the unique sandbank known locally as ‘The Street’ – a naturally occurring causeway that appears at low tide.
Food lovers can try fresh local shellfish if they visit during the Whitstable Oyster Festival, which is held every year in July. There are also plenty of places to enjoy drinks with an ocean view at one of the many seafront bars. Whitstable is also home to lots of comfortable guesthouses and B & Bs, making it one of the best seaside towns in the UK for a long weekend away. It takes around two hours to get to Whitstable by car or on a straightforward route via the Southeastern trainline from London Victoria.
7. Hastings Beach
- Distance from London: 66 miles (two hours)
Hastings Beach offers some of the best hikes near London at the adjacent Hastings Country Park. The Park offers beautiful hiking trails and incredible natural beauty spots like the Dripping Well waterfall and Glen Wood . You can also enjoy magnificent views of the beach and the English Channel from the cliffs above Hastings. The pebble beach itself is great too and boasts both and Edwardian seafront and a Victorian pier,
Despite its historic past as a Victorian holiday spot, Hastings is quite a quiet town. This makes it a great option to dodge the crowds and enjoy a peaceful trip to the beach. The bay is suitable for swimming, and I usually find parking easily in one of the numerous car parks near the seafront.
8. Botany Bay
- Distance from London: 80 miles (two hours)
My favourite way to spend a day at Botany Bay in Kent is to hike the Viking Coastal Trail from Broadstairs and stopping at the Dickens House Museum. This is the site where British author Charles Dickens wrote some of his most famous novels. This hike takes around 45 minutes and thter’s amazing coastal lookouts.
Botany Bay itself is surrounded by sheer, white cliffs, making it popular spot with fossil hunters. The area is also a haven for marine wildlife.
You can walk to Botany Bay along the coast from the nearby town of Margate, one of the best seaside towns in the UK, and there are cycle routes along the Viking Coastal Trail.
While some parking is available close to Botany Bay, it’s limited and it can be hard to get a spot during peak tourist season.You’ll find plenty of hotels and places to eat in the nearby town. To get to Margate from London, it takes around two hours by train or around two hours and 30 minutes by road.
9. Dungeness Beach
- Distance from London: 80 miles (two hours)
Dungeness Beach is located inside the Dungeness National Nature Reserve and is a gorgeous sandy spot popular with bird watchers and nature lovers. The beach isn’t easily accessible by train, but it’s just over a two-hour drive from central London, making it ideal for a road trip. Visitors at the beach can walk to the historic Old Lighthouse Museum and see the exterior of the Dungeness Nuclear Power Plant.
The area is dog-friendly and a popular spot for fishing. You can also visit Prospect Cottage and its driftwood garden, which is a cultural landmark as the former home of artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman.
Situated on Romney Marsh, Dungeness Beach is also within driving distance of other nearby coastal spots, such as Lydd-on-Sea and Camber Sands. It’s a great spot if you’re feeling adventurous and want to fully immerse yourself in nature. Note swimming is not encouraged due to strong currents.
10. Leysdown Beach
- Distance from London: 56 miles (two hours)
The scenic Isle of Sheppey is located around a two-hour drive from London city centre and is a great place to visit for a short stay or a relaxed weekend. Sheppey is connected to the mainland via the Kingsferry Bridge and is home to Leysdown Beach, one of the best beaches near London.
Leysdown Beach has a long, sandy shore, calm waters and a promenade, making it great for walking and swimming. The shore is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer and the seafront has accessible toilets and plenty of places to eat and drink. You can also explore Sheerness Beach and Minster Leas Beach nearby.
Best beaches near London over two hours away
One of the best things about heading out to the coast is escaping the crowds and spending time in nature. These scenic shorelines and sandy beaches just that little bit further from London offer great locations for hiking and dog-friendly beaches.
11. Bournemouth Beach
- Distance from London: 108 miles (two and a half hours)
If you set out early enough or you have a long weekend to fill, I can’t recommend Bournemouth Beach enough. Bournemouth is a great place to pack in a few days of family-friendly fun or enjoy an afternoon building sandcastles and splashing in the surf. The sheltered bay stretches for seven miles along the coast and is known for its temperate waters.
Test out the vintage fairground rides on Bournemouth Pier or climb the observation tower and take in the amazing ocean views. Located around a three-hour drive from London city centre or around two hours and 20 minutes by train, Bournemouth Beach is one of the best summer holiday destinations in the UK and is fun to visit out of season too.
12. Camber Sands
- Distance from London: 76 miles (two hours and 40 minutes)
Camber Sands, near the town of Rye in Sussex, is a gorgeous beach destination near London and one that I prefer to drive to if I have time. The drive takes up to two hours and 40 minutes from the centre of London, depending on traffic, but once you’re there you’ll see what all the hype is about. The clue may be in the name, but Camber Sands is one of the best sandy beaches near London, with almost five miles of stunning dunes and a pristine coastline.
Most of Camber Sands is dog-friendly, except for zones F and H, where dogs must be kept on a lead. The enormous beachside car park has 3,000 spaces, making it one of the best beaches near London to drive to. There are good facilities too including cafés and accessible toilets. Camber Sands is also a popular location for watersports like kite surfing and windsurfing.
Just before the end
No matter how much you love the city, sometimes a trip to the seaside is just what you need. When you’re in London, you have the best of both worlds – that cosmopolitan, urban experience with a wealth of gorgeous beaches not too far away.
Whether you’re looking for the best spa hotels for a relaxing break near the coast or you’re heading up north to find the best beaches near Edinburgh, the UK’s coastal scenery is undoubtedly some of the best in the world.
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