The 10 best beaches less than two hours by train from London
Whisper it: the summer has, it seems, arrived. That means hot, bustling days in London, and a desire to leave the capital to plunge into the sea. All the requisite warnings about bathing quality aside, there is nothing more glorious than a sun-soaked day at the seaside, and, luckily, it isn’t overly difficult to access them from the city.
What’s more, there’s no need to join the traffic. It’s very easy to reach some glorious beaches effortlessly by train from London. Whether it’s the kitschy delights of Margate or Whitstable in Kent, or the long, sweeping sands of Sussex, it’s possible to ditch the car entirely for a perfect day out. There is just one exception to the rule, by virtue of its isolated location (and entirely worth the journey).
All of these trips, by virtue of their proximity to the capital, can be made in a day, but many – precisely due to their enduring appeal – have beautiful places to spend the night. These are the 10 best beaches to visit from London.
Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
For brightly-coloured beach huts and bunting-strung promenades, Walton-on-the-Naze is the place to be. Its seafront is home to a host of amenities ideal for a weekend at the coast: grab coffee and cake from the Naze Tower café, then wander along its pier – the second longest in Britain. A mile north of the beach, the headland is a site of special scientific interest, and its shrubland is noted for containing multitudes of fossils.
If you are thinking of taking a four-legged friend, it is worth noting that dogs are banned from the beach between May 1 and September 30.
How to get there
Greater Anglia operates trains from London Liverpool Street to Walton-on-the-Naze, with a change at Thorpe-le-Soken. The journey takes an hour and 40 minutes.
Where to stay
Scandi-style Lifehouse Spa & Hotel, in Thorpe-le-Soken, was a hit with our expert. Rooms start at £229 per night.
Whitstable, Kent
Whitstable, with its hand-painted shopfronts and fresh fish restaurants, is an archetypal south coast seaside spot. After dipping in the (sometimes rather chilly) sea, wander to Whitstable Castle and explore the 18th-century manor. Or stay on the beachfront and sample the fresh oysters at The Forge (or their scampi with a crisp beer). Open until sunset, it’s the ideal base for people-watching.
How to get there
Southeastern trains from London Victoria to Whitstable take an hour and 20 minutes.
Where to stay
Hotel Continental offers beach-chic rooms with sea views. Rooms start at £126 per night.
Margate, Kent
Margate has had a revival in recent years, with our expert describing it as “well and truly on the up”. While its horizon-defying beach can get busy on the warmest days, it’s an undeniably delightful spot. The train from St Pancras only takes roughly 90 minutes, making it an easy and accessible day out.
As for the beach itself, wild swimmers will delight in its portioned-off tidal pool: a joy for casual bathers and serious lane swimmers alike. A more nostalgic day out might include a trip to Dreamland, the pastel-pink theme park that boasts rollercoasters and kitsch galore. Further into the town, the eccentric Shell Grotto is a charming diversion.
How to get there
Southeastern trains from London St Pancras take roughly 90 minutes, while trains from London Victoria take two hours.
Where to stay
The chic No42 by GuestHouse offers knock-out views and a buzzy restaurant. Prices start at £190 per night.
Broadstairs, Kent
If the Margate crush seems unavoidable, try disembarking the train earlier, in Broadstairs. A quieter spot, the town was, briefly, the home of Charles Dickens as he wrote Bleak House. The house in which he stayed now sits on a promontory overlooking the wide expanse of the beach, where Punch and Judy shows reign supreme.
Selecting a spot on the beach and lying prostrate would be enough for a very pleasant day out. There is plenty to explore in the town itself too, like its 1950s ice cream parlours – try Morelli’s for an unbeatable gelato.
How to get there
Southeastern trains from London St Pancras to Broadstairs take one hour and 20 minutes.
Where to stay
The Bay Tree Hotel is a smart seafront hotel with 10 rooms. Prices start at £70 per night.
Ramsgate, Kent
Another Kentish delight, one that rewards a simple buckets-and-spades type of day with the family. If the weather isn’t conducive, explore Ramsgate’s wartime tunnels: the UK’s largest network of underground passageways open to visitors. Twin those with the smugglers’ caves, built into the rocks at Pegwell Bay, and you’ll have quite the adventurous day out.
It is also possible to walk along the coast to Broadstairs from here, meaning you can take in both beaches. Frolic on the sands at Ramsgate, then follow the coastal path along the shore for around 40 minutes – homely, traditional pubs in both towns are ideal refreshment points.
How to get there
Southeastern trains from London St Pancras to Ramsgate take two hours.
Where to stay
The stylishly-renovated Albion Hotel offers rooms from £125 per night.
Dungeness, Kent
The one exception to our rule… Bleak, beautiful Dungeness is the spot to head to for a more eerie day at the coast. This expanse of coastline is Britain’s only desert, but that doesn’t mean it is barren: instead, this strange headland is teeming with wildlife. While not impossible, it is, however, rather difficult to get to by train. A steam railway operates seasonally between Hythe and Dungeness; the more modern traveller is advised to drive.
On arrival, the place to head to is Prospect Cottage (booking essential), the black-larched, one-time home of artist Derek Jarman. Now a creative centre, his beautifully designed garden, sprouting poppies and sea kale from sand and pebbles, is a pleasing diversion on a warm day. For more nature, Dungeness RSPB reserve is home to marsh harriers and lapwings.
How to get there
It is best to drive to Prospect Cottage – there is a car park on the right-hand side of the building. Or travel via the miniature railway (more information here).
Where to stay
Castaways B&B is situated on the beachfront and has views across to Calais. Rooms start at £90 per night.
Brighton, East Sussex
Busy, bright, Brighton. It’s an iconic seaside town for a reason, and your best bet is to arrive early and pick up provisions from The Flour Pot or Sugardough bakeries – think exceptional croissants and freshly-baked bread. Wander around The Lanes, then it’s time for the reason you’re here: head to the beach.
It is, importantly, a stone beach, so towels (or deckchairs) are much advised. Once you have your spot, read, and relax, and swim to your heart’s content. And remember to stick around, as Brighton is best at sunset, when starling murmurations flit over a fiery sea and the pier seems to glow. Stay as late as your train ticket allows, or spend the night in one of the city’s many Georgian townhouses.
How to get there
Southern trains from London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton take roughly one hour.
Where to stay
The art-filled Hotel Una is one of the city’s best places to spend the night. Rooms from £196. Plan the perfect trip to Brighton with our expert guide.
Littlehampton, West Sussex
Littlehampton, with its mile-long stretch of sand and shingle, is a vision of the British seaside town. With lifeguards on duty in the summer (plus free children’s wristband scheme) it is ideally for a sunny, family day out.
There are plenty of facilities along the promenade: East Beach café, with its undulating architecture, is a particular favourite. Or for something more traditional, walk inland towards Harbour Park Amusements, where water chutes, arcade games and soft play are bound to be a hit.
How to get there
Southern trains run from London Victoria to Littlehampton, taking around one hour and 45 minutes.
Where to stay
Move slightly inland to Arundel to stay in the medieval mansions of Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa. A night’s stay starts at £315.
West Wittering, West Sussex
With its serene, grassy dunes and wide open horizons, West Wittering beach, near the mouth of Chichester harbour, is, unsurprisingly, rather busy in the summer. Take a picnic blanket and arrive early to stake a claim in the sand.
If you’re more adventurous, both West and East Wittering are popular with surfers. Not confident enough to do it yourself? Head to one of the nearby surf schools for equipment and tuition.
How to get there
Southern trains operate between London Victoria and Chichester. The 52 bus takes visitors from the station to the Old House at Home pub; from there, it is a short walk to the beach.
Where to stay
The East Walls Hotel is a lovingly-restored Georgian villa in Chichester, with rooms starting from £115 per night.
Port Meadow, Oxford
Not all beaches require the sea. Port Meadow, in Oxford’s north-west corner, is a bucolic, open space that is ideal for sunbathing and wild swimming. The banks of the river Thames are flecked with small, sandy coves, which means that on a warm day, wildfowl and visitors make the spot their (very picturesque) base.
Pick up supplies from the city centre before heading out to the wildflower-filled meadows: just be aware that, as the common is still used for grazing, you might be sharing the space with cattle or wild ponies.
How to get there
Great Western operates services between London Paddington and Oxford, taking just under an hour. From Oxford station, Port Meadow is a 20-minute walk.
Where to stay
The Porterhouse Grill & Rooms Hotel offers hip but unpretentious rooms from £264 per night. Plan the perfect trip to Oxford with our guide.
