Finding the perfect beach when you are from the city can be a challenge. Typically the closer the beach the busier it is. So let me just make this easier for you, because if you are anything like myself I hate sitting on a crowded beach on the hottest day of the year. Here are the best beaches near London.
Mersea Island
Mersea Island is an island in Essex, England, in the Blackwater and Colne estuaries to the southeast of Colchester. You can find yourself relaxing amongst the few hundred beach huts that are lined along the coast but this still leaves plenty of space on the beach for a bbq. This is a pebble beach which you can swim, but make sure you bring water shoes as the rocks under the water are quite sharp. It’s also great for water sports. Further down the coast, you can find some restaurants and pubs serving seafood chowder, overlooking the fisherman’s boats. Crabbing in Mersea has been the pastime of youngsters in the town for generations. You can crab from the pontoon on Coast Road. There are tons of places to park.
Whitstable
Whitstable has long been famous for its history of Oysters and till this day is one of the main reasons people come to visit this beach. Whitstable is a shingle beach, you can easily spend the whole day here, I’d say it is more for watersports than it is for swimming. There are lots of activities to do like the Seal Safari and Coastal Boat tours which you can book at the harbour. If you’re not planning to swim then this is the perfect beach day for you to enjoy with the many restaurants they have on the harbour. We’d highly recommend checking Lobster Shack, which was by far our favorite place to eat.
Camber Sands
Camber Sands is the only sand dune system in East Sussex, it stretches for 3 miles just beyond Kent. This beach can get pretty crowded but because of how wide stretched this beach is there is plenty of room to set up a bbq and not feel cramped into a little spot. There aren’t many restaurants around and it’s very difficult to find parking so get there early. This beach is perfect for a swim on a hot summer’s day. Do check the tide times as the tide can go out pretty far.
Seaford Beach
Seaford is located in East Sussex and is a pebble beach surrounded by amazing views and the seven sisters cliffs. Perfect for a bbq and a swim. You also won’t need to wear water shoes here, although it’s a pebble beach, the pebbles aren’t sharp so they won’t hurt your feet. The best way to experience the Seven Sisters Cliffs is by walking the coastal trail from Seaford to Eastbourne.
Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove
Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are about a 25-minute walk from each other but both are beautifully stunning. Durdle Door is famous for its stone arch which was created 10,000 years ago from the sea piercing through the limestone. These pebble beaches have the bluest, crystal clear water you will see on a beach close to London. Perfect for snorkeling, BBQs are only permitted between 6pm and 10.30pm. The toilets and restaurants are a bit of a trek from the actual beachfront so it’s worth packing food and drink. Durdle Door beach can get pretty crowded but Lulworth is just as good.
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