Who knew London had beaches? Well, to be quite precise, the area of London is rather big and of course there are a few stretches with sand near the Thames.
But then again, there are so many sandy beaches near London, England. I just had to go see for myself and bring back a few tips for you too. Especially after days packed with sightseeing of the typical places like Buckingham Palace, you definitely deserve some idle beach time in London.
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A London Beach – Ruislip Lido
Le’s be honest, even if there is a little bit of a sandy stretch along the River Thames, you might not want to spread out a towel. A lot of drift trash is caught along the shore and after seeing that short documentary on baby wipes polluting the sands of Thames, I am really not keen on trying.
However, there is an actual (albeit artificial), small beach in London. It’s called Ruislip Lido Beach and you can sunbathe on the yellow sand of a lake and sip on a cocktail in the waterside restaurant.
Need shadow in the heat? Then take to the woodlands for a refreshing walk. If you visit in May, you may even catch bluebells in Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve. (Here are some more bluebell locations around London.)
- Distance: 80 mins from Waterloo Station
- How to get there by public transport: From Waterloo, take the Jubilee Underground Line to Finchley Road and change into the Metropolitan Line to Ruislip.
- Highlights: Ruislip Woods National Nature Reserve
More tips: How to plan a UK road trip
Beaches near London
No matter whether you have a lot or a little time in the capital, there are a few day trips to the best beaches near London you can do. I’ve noted the time and ease of reaching them so you can make up your mind easier and enjoy your trip in comfort.
Brighton
The most obvious contender for a London day trip to the sea and a popular one at that is Brighton. With its quaint promenade walk, the amusement pier and gorgeous Pavilion, it oozes seaside charm. I love returning again and again and my very first visit at the young age of 15 has left a deep impression.
If you can time it well, come for the Brighton Festival in May when you can see all the crazy talent the British seaside town has to offer. From paintings over prints to handcrafted items, you can see them all on display. You can even visit an artist’s home during the Artists Open Houses Festival. (See my interview with a local artist from Brighton.)
- Distance: 54 miles/87 km
- How to get there by public transport: You can catch the train (Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink) or hop on a bus with National Express or Megabus. A ride takes one hour.
- Highlights:
Whitstable
This seaside town near London has both castles and beaches. Should you be an early riser, head straight to Tankerton or Hampton beach for early morning light and barely any visitors.
Then you can check out Whitstable Castle and the Saxon Shore Way. The latter was built by the Romans as a chain of fortification and military camp.
If you come right after the castle gates open at 10am, you can avoid crowds and well and enjoy a lazy rest of the day with tea time or another quick trip to see even more beaches near London.
- Distance: 61 miles/98 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Southeastern train from Victoria Station (90min ride)
- Highlights: Whitstable Castle, Whitstable Harbour, Tankerton Beach, Seasalter Beach, Saxon Shore Way, Hampton Beach
Deal
For a seaside trip from London take the train over to Deal Pier. Deal in Kent is a seaside town and is close to Dover. (You can easily combine it in a day trip for seeing multiple beaches close to London.)
If you just can’t get enough of everything sea themed, check out the Deal Maritime & Local History Museum. For that old timey British feel, visit Deal’s Old Town and bring your camera!
The main gem of Deal is its castle, which was commissioned by King Henry VIII himself. It’s built in the form of the Tudor rose. (Which you can see from above.)
- Distance: 84 miles/135 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Southeastern train from St Pancras International Station (90min ride)
- Highlights: Deal Castle, Walmer Castle, Old Town
Dover
Another beautiful yet small seaside haven in England is Dover. It’s where you will arrive with the ferry coming from France, for instance. But don’t just overlook it for that reason. It has its own medieval highlight: Dover Castle.
Plus, you can do some epic walks along the white limestone cliffs that dramatically rise next the blue of the ocean and sky. Even on cloudy days, you can gorgeous views. Don’t forget to wear hiking boots and stay away from the often crumbly edges.
- Distance: 78 miles/126 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Southeastern train from London Bridge International Station (90min ride)
- Highlights: Dover Castle
Margate
Located between Broadstairs and Herne Bay, the coastal town of Margate makes for a great seaside getaway from London. Walk along its white chalk cliffs for a quiet day out. Or enjoy yourself in the theme park Dreamland.
You can even get a taste of modern art in the Turner Contemporary art gallery, which is right by the ocean. To feel even close to the sea, step into the eerie shell grotto, an ornate subterranean passageway. To this day, its real purpose remains unclear.
- Distance: 77 miles/124 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Southeastern train from St Pancras International Station (90min ride)
- Highlights: Shell Grotto, Margate Beach, Main Sands, Joss Bay beach
Westgate-on-Sea
Bordering Margate on the West, Westgate-on-Sea is another often overlooked destination. It’s rather small and beaches aren’t to be found except for a short sandy part at Saint Mildred’s Bay. Still, the colourful British beach huts can be seen here as well.
- Distance: 40 mins walk from Margate
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Southeastern train from St Pancras International Station (90min ride)
- Highlights: St Mildred’s Bay
Broadstairs
This small town in Kent has access to its own sandy beach. There are some typical seaside attractions and you can pull out your towel and do some sunbathing. Fun fact: Charles Dickens spent some time here during his holidays.
Of course, there are some colourful beach huts as well. For the untouched nature experience with unique rock formations poking out of the sea, head up North to Botany Bay. It is the northernmost bay out of the seven bays in Broadstairs. You can rent a kajak or surfboard and hit the waves.
Another sandy bay near London and also belonging to Broadstairs is Joss Bay. From here, you can see more white cliffs rising high above the coast. It’s not as busy as Viking bay but can still get crowded on a sunny holiday day.
- Distance: 81 miles/130 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Southeastern train from St Pancras International Station (90min trip)
- Highlights: Viking Bay,Botany Bay, Joss Bay
Southwold
For another Southeast England beach experience with a pretty lighthouse, make your way to Southwold. It’s not the closest to London and better reached via car than public transport.
However, if you do decide to visit this charming town, you get to see a piece of the Suffolk Heritage Coast. It’s situated in a tributary area, so that it almost seems like an island. Stroll along the sandy beach with its beach huts and pier towards the harbour.
- Distance: 119 miles/192 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take a Greater Anglia train from Liverpool Street Station and change in Ipswich to the train to Lowestoft. Then take the bus to Southwold. (4h trip)
- Highlights: Southwold Pier & Lighthouse, Denes Beach, cliff top cannon
Bournemouth
One thing I adore about British seaside towns are the colourful beach huts and Bournemouth has a row of them in pastel colours. They are all private. If you don’t come in the afternoon or on the weekend, you might be lucky and see all of them closed. (Photo opp!)
Other than that, Bournemouth has a beautiful park area near the beach, a small promenade with the typical seaside attractions and fair (perfect for families) and a small shopping area.
- Distance: 104 miles/167 km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the South Western train from London Waterloo Station (2h ride)
- Highlights: Beach huts, seaside amusements and park
Wells next the Sea
This port town sits on the North Norfolk coast of England and offers long stretches of wonderful beaches with pin woodland growing past the dunes. It makes for a classical beach holiday in South England.
In town, you can do some souvenir shopping in the traditional, family-run shops or try tasty fish and chips in a typical tavern near the port.
Are you into historic houses? Visit the grand Holkham Hall in the midst of its green park- and woodlands. It is still owned by the Earls of Leicester but open for public visits, where you can marvel at the intricate tapestries and paintings, such as from Rubens, Van Dyck and Gainsborough.
- Distance: 126 miles/203 km
- How to get there by public transport: e.g. Take the Great Northern from King’s Cross to King’s Lynn and then switch to bus 36 and get off at Northfield Lane (4-5h trip)
- Highlights: Holkham Hall, Holkham National Nature Reserve and Bay
Dungeness
Dungeness is a headland in Kent. There are various beautiful sceneries to be enjoyed here, such as the beautiful shingle beach made from pebbles, the Romney Marsh and the small hamlet of the same name.
There are a few sights worth mentioning in Dungeness, for example the seven lighthouses and the hamlet. The latter makes it so stunning thanks to the weatherboard beach houses and old railway coaches.
The most prominent house is Prospect Cottage, which has been painted black. The garden around it is supposed to channel the desolate, windswept feel of the area. Oh, and did I mention the shipwrecks left stranded on the beach?
- Distance: 84 miles/135 km
- How to get there by public transport: e.g. Take the Southeastern train from St Pancras International Station to Folkstone Central and then switch into a local bus, such as line 102 or 11A and then 102 (3h trip)
- Highlights: Prospect Cottage, shipwrecks
Mersea Island
You don’t need a ferry to get to this Essex island. A causeway connects it to the mainland but you have to check tide times before your visit. Fun fact: the name derives from the Old English word meresig, meaning “island in the pool” but the Old Romans already lived here.
On a sunny day, hang around West Mersea Beach and then feast on local oysters in a nearby restaurant. The most stunning part of the town are its pastel coloured rows of beach huts, which date back to the 1920s.
- Distance: 68 miles/ 109km
- How to get there by public transport: Take the Greateranglia train from Liverpool Street Station to Colchester Town and then switch to a local bus, such as 67 to Blue Row (2h trip)
- Highlights: West Mersea Beach, Cudmore Grove, Cudmore Grove Country Park
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More from the England blog
- Seaside in Devon: Visiting Teignmouth
- Why Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve and beach are a must
- Castles and promenades: Dartmouth in Devon
- Plenty of things to do in Torquay
- When to see the Pirate Festival in Brixham
- Spending a day in the Cotswolds
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