3.) Brighton<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Best](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2023\/02\/28\/11-very-best-beaches-near-london-to-visit\/\")
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Brighton needs no introduction! Probably one of the most famous beaches near London to visit, it\u2019s easily accessible by train in around 60 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yes, it\u2019s a pebbled beach, but what it lacks in sand, it gains in charm. there are loads to do in Brighton.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Depending on when you visit, you might want to try your hands at paddle boarding in Brighton. Aside from this, you can enjoy your ice cream while braving the seagulls that want a little taste.<\/p>\n
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Also, don\u2019t forget to visit the Lanes for all the cute cafes, vintage stores and restaurants. Plus, make sure to hop on over to the pier, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Brighton<\/strong><\/p>\n4.) Dungeness<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
From gulls and gadwalls to philosophers and artists, the pebbled Dungeness Beach is a totally lovely and special place to visit. Though, it\u2019s worth noting that the drive will take around 140 minutes to get there.<\/p>\n
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Not only that, the head of land at Dungeness is a great spot for the sunset, too. Perfect as you sip your favourite tipples or bring a picnic, too. Alternatively, settle in and grab some tasty fish and chips from the Britannia Inn that\u2019s just shy of the beach itself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019re not feeling Dungeness Beach, head on over to Dymchurch Beach that\u2019s around 20 minutes down the coast in the car.\u00a0<\/p>\n
5.) Botany Bay<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Around 140 minutes on the train (or car), Botany Bay is a gorgeous spot to visit that\u2019s just shy of Margate in Kent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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A stunning undeveloped sandy bay, with white cliffs, Botany Bay is one of the best beaches near London to visit when going to Kent.<\/p>\n
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Located between Broadstairs and Margate, a lot of visitors check out Botany Bay when they visit the other two locations.<\/p>\n
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This makes for a perfect overnight stay.<\/p>\n
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You can easily partner with Margate, Broadstairs (Viking Bay), Joss Bay and Stone Bay in one big trip. We love them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
6.) Margate<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Quicker by train (than a car), you can reach Margate in around 90 minutes from Central London. This makes it all too easy for a day trip to the beach.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best of all, Margate has had something of a comeback in terms of popularity and fun things to do. A historic fishing town, Margate thrived in Victorian times as the go-to spot for people looking for the best beaches near London to visit.<\/p>\n
In fact, not much has changed and the sand and shoreline are just as impressive as it was back then.\u00a0I\u2019d go as far as saying that Margate\u2019s sandy beaches are one of the most popular beaches in London. Margate was initially known for the Dreamland (the kitsch fairground) which still exists today.<\/p>\n
Aside from the stunning beach of Margate, Turner Contemporary which is a world-class modern art gallery can also be found here. Guests can also check out the caf\u00e9s and restaurants around the old centre of Margate. Oh, and don\u2019t forget all the little bookshops and vintage stores that line the streets there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019ve got time, make sure to pop by Broadstairs Beach, along with Botany Bay, which I mentioned earlier. They\u2019re all around this wider area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
7.) Hastings Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Kept in place by a series of groynes, Hastings Beach is one of the best beaches near London to visit that\u2019s just over 90 minutes from Central London by train.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Although not as pebbly as Brighton, Hastings Beach is a mixture of shingle and sand along the shore that\u2019s well worth preparing for. I mean, it can be sharp on your feet if you don\u2019t pack flip-flops.<\/p>\n
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Don\u2019t forget to stroll St. Leonards On Sea and Bulverhythe Beach, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not only that, the world\u2019s biggest underground park which is the BMX skate park is also one of the main attractions in Hastings. In addition to this, there are also nature trails that groups can enjoy and Hastings Castle to visit.<\/p>\n
8.) Bournemouth Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Around 100 minutes from Central London by train, you can easily visit Bournemouth\u2019s Beaches for a long day trip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 11-mile-long Bournemouth Beach will keep you busy being chilled (if catch my drift). It\u2019s totally relaxing.<\/p>\n
Here, you\u2019ll have easy access to hotels, gardens, little shops, and yummy restaurants that are dotted all around the shore. Though, one thing to note is that there can be larger crowds on warm days.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget, you can easily visit the upmarket area of Sandbanks for its beaches, too. It\u2019s just beyond Canford Cliffs Beach and really easy to visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve taken a road trip to get to Bournemouth, head over to the totally quaint Corfe Castle which we love. It\u2019s a small village that\u2019s steeped in history; dating back well over a thousand years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: How to visit Corfe Castle<\/strong><\/p>\n9.) Mersea Island<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Mersea Island is where some of the finest oysters in the whole. Even the Romans thought so! They used to harvest fresh shellfish from the shores here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Nowadays, the Romans might have vanished but the harvesting of oysters has remained. This makes it one of the best beaches near London to visit if you also want some tasty seafood.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s your thing, grab a meal at Company Shed where you can buy the best shellfish. Bring your own wine for a day at the beach and it\u2019s just perfect.<\/p>\n
10.) Ramsgate<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
For some, Ramsgate gets a bad rap when it comes to finding the best beaches near London to visit. Although Ramsgate is not the most glamorous beach in the area, it still has a lot to offer when it comes to activities and views.<\/p>\n
After chilling on the beach, some other places to pop into are the Ramsgate brewery and Music Hall which has heaps to do.<\/p>\n
Best of all, this beach is also easily accessible as you can reach it from central London after an hour and a half.<\/p>\n
11.) Leigh-on-Sea (Bell Wharf Beach)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Around 50 minutes in the car from London, Bell Wharf Beach is a relatively small area that\u2019s well worth a visit if you\u2019re already visiting Southend or Leigh-on-Sea.<\/p>\n
The tiny sandy beach is pretty popular in the summer months and can feel a bit crowded on a sunny day. This all means that it\u2019s probably best to find a larger stretch of beach (like Camber Sands) if you don\u2019t like lots of people around you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t forget to stop off at Osborne Bros Cafe for their delicious (and fresh) seafood. Grab yourself a pint of winkles, cockles or a lobster. It\u2019s all so good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best day trips from London<\/strong><\/p>\n\n10 Of The Best Day Trips From London<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n