The Best Beaches Near London by Train (Including One with Actual Sand)

I used to think that if London had a beach, it would be the perfect city and everyone would want to live here. Turns out London DOESN’T have a beach but it DOES have some pretty great ones within a train ride away.

Whether you’re after classic British seaside charm, a dramatic coastal walk or an excuse to eat fish and chips on a promenade and call it a cultural experience, there are genuinely good options. Some are an hour away, some take a little more effort but they’re worth it. And a couple I’m going to be honest with you about, because not every beach near London deserves the hype it gets.

Here’s everything you need to know before you pack your bag, slap on some SPF (YES! You WILL need it!) and head for the coast.

Quick Guide: Beaches Near London by Train

Brighton Beach

Let’s start with the obvious one. Brighton is the go-to coastal escape for Londoners and honestly, it earns that reputation. Not necessarily for the beach itself, but for everything around it.

Just an hour by train from London Victoria or London Bridge, Brighton offers a vibrant mix of seaside fun and city energy. The beach is pebbled (more on that in a second), lively all year round with beach bars, fish and chip stalls and deck chairs lining the promenade. The iconic Brighton Palace Pier is worth a wander, The Lanes are excellent for independent shops and cafés, and the British Airways i360 gives you sweeping views of the coastline and the South Downs if you’re in the mood for something a bit different.

I remember the first summer I spent in England. I was DESPERATE for a beach and hopped on the train to Brighton. Imagine my disappointment when I came face to face with those huge pebbles! Havaianas on the beach? Absolutely not. But Brighton’s won me over throughout the years. Just sitting by the ocean feeling that salty air and listening to the waves is genuinely lovely and when you need a break from the sun, the café situation in Brighton is excellent.

Book tickets: Search Brighton trains on Omio

Experiences: Brighton i360 tickets | Brighton Pier and Old Town walking tour

Whitstable

A few years ago, Whitstable was all any Londoner could talk about. So many creatives and artists made the move to the Kent coast that it became something of a cultural moment. It’s quieted down a little since then but the town is still very cute.

Famous for its oysters, independent boutiques and a genuinely relaxed seaside vibe, Whitstable is around 90 minutes by train from London St Pancras or Victoria. The beach is shingle and the views at sunset are lovely. This is not really a swimming-and-sunbathing beach, it’s more of a stroll-and-eat beach which has its charm.

Head to the Lobster Shack or Wheelers Oyster Bar for fresh seafood and take a wander along the harbour. There are great vintage shops and local galleries too.

Book tickets: Search Whitstable trains on Omio

Camber Sands

If you’re looking for actual golden sand near London, Camber Sands is your best bet, full stop. It’s a bit more effort to reach but absolutely worth it. Take a train to Rye from London St Pancras and then a short bus or taxi to the beach. The sweeping sand dunes and vast flat beach make it one of the best spots in the southeast for beach days, kite flying, long walks and just lying there doing absolutely nothing.

This is probably my favourite beach on this whole list. I’m sure the actual sand has everything to do with it! I remember my first time there: it was a weekday, not too busy, the day was perfectly sunny and warm, clear skies and I spent the whole of it on the sand soaking up that salty air (yes I’m going to keep saying “salty air”; it’s the best thing about the coast). The journey home was lit up by a beautiful orange sunset and I was completely in love with the place.

Then the next day I read on the news that a few people had been caught out by the tide. It recedes a LOT at Camber but it comes back in quickly and, before you know it, you’re much further out than you meant to be. So please be careful, check the tide times before you go and don’t wander too far in.

Bonus: If you’ve got time, stop in Rye on the way back. It’s a beautiful little historic town with cobbled streets, tea rooms and good pubs. Genuinely one of the nicest places in East Sussex and one of the prettiest British towns I’ve ever been to! Also hometown of the original Knoops if that’s your thing =)

Book tickets: Search trains to Rye on Omio

Looking for places to visit near London? You might also like: Best Day Trips from London by Train

Margate

Once a classic Victorian resort town, Margate has had a full-blown hip revival over the last decade. Remember I mentioned artists moving to the Kent coast? Margate was the main destination! It now has one of the most genuinely interesting creative scenes of any coastal town in England.

About 90 minutes from London St Pancras, Margate has a proper sandy beach that’s great for swimming and sunbathing, plus a tidal pool if you prefer calmer waters. Dreamland, the vintage amusement park, is brilliant if you’re visiting with kids or just feeling nostalgic. The Turner Contemporary gallery is right on the seafront and well worth an hour of your time. Add in independent coffee shops, vintage stores and seafood shacks and you’ve got a very full day.

Book tickets: Search Margate trains on Omio

Experiences: Dreamland Margate tickets

Broadstairs

Close to Margate but noticeably more low-key, Broadstairs is a quaint town with a quintessentially English coastal feel that somehow manages not to feel clichéd. The train from London St Pancras takes just under two hours.

The main beach, Viking Bay, is sandy and framed by colourful beach huts and Victorian buildings. Charles Dickens had a summer house here and the town leans into that connection with pride: the Dickens House Museum is worth a visit (not his actual house, but one that inspired him. Still good!). The beach itself is perfect for a calm day: swimming, rock pooling, ice cream on the promenade. Don’t miss Morelli’s Gelato, which has been serving Italian ice cream since 1907 and is as good as its reputation suggests.

Book tickets: Search Broadstairs trains on Omio

Botany Bay

One of the most photogenic beaches in the southeast, Botany Bay is known for its dramatic chalk cliffs and striking rock formations. It genuinely looks like somewhere that shouldn’t exist in England. You can reach it via a train to Broadstairs or Margate and then a short walk or taxi.

It’s quieter than its neighbours and very popular with photographers and people after a genuinely peaceful afternoon. When the tide is out, there are rock pools to explore and small caves in the cliffs that kids (and adults) love. Bring snacks or stop in Broadstairs afterwards for lunch; the two work well together as a combined day out.

Southend-on-Sea

Just under an hour from London on the c2c line from Fenchurch Street, Southend is a classic seaside town and one of the easiest on this list to reach. It’s so close to London that, when you look up flights using London as a destination, its airport often shows up. (if you want to know more about the Southend airport as a way into London, here’s my guide to London airports!)

The beach isn’t the prettiest but it’s convenient and packed with entertainment. The world’s longest pleasure pier is here, as is Adventure Island amusement park, arcades and waterfront pubs. It’s a good pick if you want a quick seaside fix with plenty to do, especially for families.

Book tickets: Search Southend trains on Omio

Hastings

With its mix of pebbled beaches, a lively old town and dramatic coastal views, Hastings is a brilliant and slightly underrated option for a day by the water. It’s less polished than Brighton or Whitstable but absolutely full of character: narrow medieval streets, quirky independent shops and some genuinely excellent seafood.

I really enjoyed it. I felt the crowd had a tad bohemian vibe… You can walk up to Hastings Country Park for sweeping views of the coastline or take the charming funicular railway for a bit of wonderful old-school fun. The beach is relaxed and often less crowded than the bigger names. The lovely Brazilian café that used to be in the town centre is sadly no more, but you can find the highly rated Cumbia Kitchen in the St Leonard’s area; well worth it for a great açaí bowl and a welcome change from fish and chips.

Like I said early one, don’t forget the sunscreen. My friends and I got severely sunburnt there!! (two Brazilians and a French girl from the SOUTH OF FRANCE 🤡)

Trains from London take under two hours, making it an easy and slightly offbeat escape.

Experiences: Hastings funicular railway and Old Town tour

West Wittering

I’ve included this one because it gets a lot of buzz and shows up on every “best beaches near London” list, so I feel like I owe you an honest take: personally, I didn’t love it.

West Wittering is harder to reach than most options here. You take a train to Chichester and then need a bus or taxi to the beach, which adds time and faff. When you get there, the beach is fine: long, sandy, with views across Chichester Harbour and a conservation area feel. But it gets very busy and the area around it doesn’t have much going on. When I was there the food options were limited to a couple of small spots serving traditional British fried food, which is fine and is part of the UK beach culture but thought I’d let you know in case you prefer to take a picnic.

If you have a car and can get there early on a weekday, you’ll have a much better time. As a train day trip though? There are better options on this list.

And completely unrelated, but I’m fairly sure Kate Winslet lives somewhere around there. Just a little fun fact to take with you.

Eastbourne

Just 90 minutes from London Victoria, Eastbourne is one of the easiest seaside towns to reach and genuinely one of the most underrated. With its long pebble beach, cute pier and backdrop of the South Downs, it has a calm, classic quality that means it often gets overlooked in favour of Brighton which, if you ask me, makes it a better choice on a busy summer weekend.

The promenade is perfect for long walks and the famous Beachy Head cliffs are only a short distance away if you’re feeling energetic. The full Seven Sisters walk is one of the best coastal walks in England. I’ve written more about it in my guide to hikes near London by train.

Book tickets: Search Eastbourne trains on Omio

Weymouth

A little further afield but genuinely worth the journey, Weymouth is one of the UK’s most beloved beach towns and for good reason. It has that classic British seaside feel; sweeping sandy beach, colourful beach huts, a historic harbour and enough to fill a full weekend away rather than just an afternoon.

The beach is family-friendly with shallow water for paddling and a traditional promenade lined with fish and chip shops and arcades. If you want more than just a beach day, explore Nothe Fort or take a look at Portland. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, the start of the Jurassic Coast is within reach. I’ve got a full post about Durdle Door if you want to add that to your trip (more on that below).

One thing I have to be straight with you about: trains from London Waterloo take around three hours and can be expensive. Check current prices on Omio before you book as they vary a lot. Make a proper day or weekend of it to get your money’s worth.

If you’re driving, get there early. The car park fills up fast.

Book accommodation: Hotels in Weymouth on Booking.com

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is technically a landmark rather than a beach, but the beach beneath it, Man o’ War Bay, is one of the most beautiful in England and absolutely earns its place on this list. The iconic limestone arch rising straight out of the sea is one of those views you see in pictures and assume has been edited. It hasn’t. It really does look like that.

To get there by train, take the same South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to Wareham, then a bus or taxi from there (the bus runs infrequently so check times in advance). Alternatively, joining an organised day tour from London is a great option if you don’t want to deal with the logistics — the parking at Durdle Door is notoriously tricky and the walk down to the beach is steep.

I’d strongly recommend combining it with a stop in Weymouth or exploring a stretch of the Jurassic Coast — there’s a full guide on the blog. The hike between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove is one of the most spectacular short coastal walks in the country and if you’re doing it, stop at The Smugglers Inn halfway for a pint or a coffee and cake. You’ve earned it.

Book tickets: Search trains to Wareham on Omio

Experiences: Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door day tour from London

Read more: Durdle Door: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Located in Essex and just under two hours from London Liverpool Street, Frinton-on-Sea is peaceful and quietly lovely; the kind of beach town that feels frozen in a very pleasant way. Sandy shores, classic beach huts and a noticeably un-commercialised seafront.

Unlike neighbouring Clacton or Southend, Frinton has strict rules around arcades and commercial development, which means it retains a genuinely nostalgic English seaside feel. There are no amusement arcades, no chain restaurants on the front, no noise. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and just enjoy a walk by the sea and a moment of calm, this is an excellent shout.

Deal is a charming town in Kent, accessible from London in just under two hours. The beach is pebbled but the town itself is what makes it worth the trip: a lovely pier, independent shops, a thriving café and food scene and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere.

The beachfront promenade is perfect for a long walk or a cycle and Deal Castle adds a brilliant historical touch to the day. The town feels authentic in a way that some of the more popular Kent spots no longer quite do. It’s also a short hop from Dover if you want to go and look at the White Cliffs or, if you’re feeling spontaneous, jump on a ferry to France for the afternoon. Just a thought.

Book tickets: Search Deal trains on Omio

Honestly, it depends on what you’re after:

• For the easiest, most fun day out: Brighton. It’s not the prettiest beach but the town delivers every time.
• For actual golden sand: Camber Sands. Nothing else on this list comes close.
• For food and atmosphere: Whitstable or Hastings.
• For something photogenic: Botany Bay or Durdle Door, no contest.
• For peace and quiet: Frinton-on-Sea or Deal.
• For a full weekend away: Weymouth, and add Durdle Door while you’re at it.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, book your train tickets in advance on Omio; prices go up fast, especially on sunny weekend mornings when half of London has the same idea.