7 Easy Beach Trips From London
Camber Sands
East Sussex
With its vast stretch of golden sand and dramatic dunes, Camber Sands feels worlds away from the rest of the Sussex coastline. Just a short drive from the quaint town of Rye – which is also worth a visit when you’re in the area – it’s a favourite for long walks, kite-flying and sunny afternoons with a view. The beach is backed by wild, windswept dunes that offer a sense of seclusion, while the shoreline itself is perfect for swimming and building sandcastles with little ones.
Eat & Drink: You’ll find a few cosy pubs by the beach but it’s worth booking ahead to secure a table at Harry’s restaurant at The Gallivant hotel. This new opening from chef Matthew Harris is all about relaxed coastal dining, and impressive-looking sharing plates. During lunch or dinner, expect to try dishes like racks of Romney salt marsh lamb, whole roast plaice or turbot, and flambéed apples with calvados. You’re in one of the country’s best wine regions, so there’s a great choice of bottles from local growers such as Gusbourne and Oxney Organic Estate.
You’re also close to Tillingham, a biodynamic vineyard and Michelin Green Star restaurant set on a 70-acre farm near Rye. The menu is rooted in sustainability, with produce from its walled garden, meat reared on site and fish caught daily from Rye Harbour. There’s also a casual wine bar and wood-fired pizza kitchen, and you can book tastings of Tillingham’s own natural wines, all with sweeping views of the surrounding area.
Frinton-on-Sea
Essex
Often overlooked in favour of other beaches in Essex, Frinton-on-Sea is perfect for kids thanks to its soft sand and gentle waters. It’s also a great spot for paddleboarding and other water sports. Frinton is a classic seaside town – think colourful beach huts, a long, grassy greensward for picnics and a traditional promenade home to numerous fish and chip shops and cafes. Beyond the beach, Connaught Avenue, once dubbed ‘East Anglia’s Bond Street’, is home to boutique and antique shops.
Eat & Drink: If you don’t fancy fish and chips, head to The Hungry Bedouin, a lovely café which serves Spanish- and Moroccan-inspired dishes like tapas plates and larger mains of chicken tagine, lamb steak with potatoes and moules frites. There’s also a deli counter where you’ll find store cupboard essentials.
Whitstable
Kent
One of our favourite options on this list, Whitstable’s charm lies in its laid-back vibe and pastel-hued beach huts that line the shingle shore. Here, locals and tourists alike visit to swim or paddleboard in its waters, eat oysters on the beach and wander along its promenade. In the town you’ll also find a selection of boutiques and vintage shops, as well as botanical gardens. If you have time, it’s worth hiring bikes to explore the Crab & Winkle Way, a scenic 7.6-mile route starting in Whitstable and ending in Canterbury.
Eat & Drink: Whitstable’s food scene is all about fresh seafood and laid-back dining. On the high street, Samphire is a family-run bistro serving hearty, seasonal dishes – think salt hake croquettes, pork chops with creamed cabbage, and fish pie. For something more casual, Wheeler’s Oyster Bar is where you’ll find local dishes like lobster lasagne and monkfish curry, plus picnic boxes for beachside grazing. The Lobster Shack, right on the shore, dishes up beer-battered cod, barbecued mackerel and generous lobster platters. And for sundowners or a lively night out, Old Neptune right on the beach serves BBQ bites and craft beers with live music
/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F07%2Fsl-240725-7-easy-beach-trips-from-london-tillingham-estate-external-full-bleed.jpg?itok=keahjBSC)
Hayling Island
Hampshire
A classic seaside escape with a laidback vibe, Hayling Island offers long stretches of shingle and sand, colourful beach huts and sweeping views across the Solent. It’s known as the birthplace of windsurfing, so expect to see plenty of action on the water. Families will love the traditional amusements and miniature railway, while nature lovers can explore the coastal trails and nearby wetlands.
Eat & Drink: Your best bet here is to get takeaway fish and chips from one of the many shops along the promenade, though Coffee On The Green Hayling offers a good selection of sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks.
Margate Beach
Kent
Margate’s main beach is a wide, sandy bay with shallow waters and a buzzy promenade – ideal for swimming, sunbathing and soaking up the town’s creative energy. Just steps away, the Turner Contemporary is one of the many galleries to visit, while the retro rides and roller disco at Dreamland add a playful twist. The beach itself is perfect for families and groups, with plenty of space to spread out and watch the tide roll in. At golden hour, the sunsets are beautiful – JMW Turner once called them the best in the world.
Eat & Drink: Margate’s food scene offers both seaside nostalgia and modern dining. Sargasso, on the harbour arm, is a coastal-inspired wine bar from the team behind Brawn in East London. Expect Italian-influenced small plates – parmesan fritters, aubergine caponata, hand-dived scallops – served with low-intervention wines and sea views. For something casual, Dive is the spot for outdoor tacos, while Dory’s offers seasonal seafood in a relaxed setting.
West Wittering
West Sussex
West Wittering is one of the South’s most popular beach destinations – and for good reason. With its powdery white sand, grassy dunes and crystal-clear shallows, it feels more Mediterranean than English coast. The beach is part of a protected nature reserve, so it’s beautifully maintained and peaceful, though it’s popular with families, swimmers and paddleboarders. Pre-booking a spot in the car park is essential in summer, though direct trains from London to Chichester take 90 minutes.
Eat & Drink: The area has a handful of relaxed spots for post-beach dining. The Wittering is a modern pub with coastal-inspired interiors, a spacious beer garden and beach hut-style cabins. Expect seasonal menus just moments from the sand. A mile inland, The Lamb Inn is a charming country pub with a wood-fired pizza oven, local seafood and a garden with heated tables. And for something more casual, the Beach Café offers hearty breakfasts, light bites and cold drinks with sea views – plus a takeaway window for beach picnics.
Deal
Kent
Deal’s pebbled beach and historic pier offer a more understated kind of coastal beauty. The town has a cool vibe, with Georgian architecture and indie and antique boutiques. The beach itself is ideal for a cold swim or a peaceful stroll, with uninterrupted views across the Channel. It’s less about sunbathing and more about soaking up the atmosphere – think windswept walks and fresh sea air.
Eat & Drink: Just ten minutes inland from Deal, Updown Farmhouse is one of Kent’s most exciting dining destinations. Set in a beautifully restored 17th-century farmhouse, the restaurant serves Italian-influenced, seasonal dishes using the best regional produce – think crab tagliolini with chilli and mint, grilled lamb chump with artichokes, and treacle tart with clotted cream. Guests dine beneath hanging vines in a conservatory or out on the terrace in warmer months, with a short but thoughtful wine list and standout cocktails. Back in town, The Court Yard Bar & Restaurant offers seasonal plates in a relaxed, grown-up setting.
INSPIRATION CREDITS: ZOLTAN TASI/UNSPLASH
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Fwebsite-images%2F2025%2F03%2Fsign-up-pop-up.jpg?itok=TZtXX_xL)
