Best beaches near London: 29 seaside havens to visit now

As soon as the long-range weather forecast promises (with a pinch of salt) balmy afternoons on the horizon, we set our sights on the best beaches near London. There’s lots to love about city life, from the ever-changing food scene to the cultural attractions, with a constant stream of fabulous events. However, as spring takes hold and we shuffle off the extra layers, or when a stroll through the streets on a late July day feels like hiking through an oven, we’re keen to get our toes wet. Luckily, there’s a surprising number of places to lay a towel down near the capital – or embark on a bracing walk, armed with a hot chocolate, in the nippier months. Most trips to the seaside – or riverside, or lakeside – are easier by car, especially if little ones are in tow and the equipment required equates to that of most solo travellers’ week stock. However, we city slickers are blessed with high-speed trains from stations like London Victoria, Euston and Liverpool Street, with regular services zooming towards the coastlines of Essex, Kent, Sussex and beyond. Within 90 minutes, or for some in less than one hour, it’s possible to swap skyscrapers for sand dunes and on-the-go lunches for windsurfing. There are all-time favourites such as Margate Main Sands, a go-to for Victorians seeking respite from the Big Smoke that fell out of favour before a remarkable comeback – ushering in a new wave of exceptional restaurants and charming hotels. Down the coast, the powder-soft sands of Broadstairs await, fringed by buzzy pub gardens with a sea view, arcades and some of the tastiest fish and chips in all the land. Further south, the wild shores of Sussex await – but there’s no need to make a beeline for Brighton Beach as it bursts at the seams. Shoreham beach is a more tranquil alternative, as is Birling Gap, for rockpooling and paddling. We’ve also thrown in a few curveballs, such as the secret coves formed by the meandering Thames upstream from London. Whether it’s traditional ice creams and surf schools or somewhere to unwind with a book for a few hours, these are the best beaches near London as chosen by the Condé Nast Traveller editors.

We recommend always travelling responsibly – being mindful of the fragility of the beautiful local environment you are visiting. You can also check water pollution levels in real-time using the Safer Seas & Rivers Service (SSRS) map from Surfers Against Sewage.