The best beaches near London

Situated on the outskirts of London, Ruislip Lido is a picturesque reservoir that offers a range of activities for everyone to enjoy. The lido features an artificial sandy beach where you can soak up the sun, swim (subject to water conditions), go fishing, and even enjoy boating excursions. Children can have a blast at the various play areas, while adults can stay active at the outdoor gym. Surrounding the lake is a charming woodland area, perfect for leisurely nature walks, and the area also houses Britain's longest narrow-gauge miniature railway.

Between the glorious sandy beach, artistic vibes, and easy access by train from London, this small Kentish town is perfect for a quick seaside getaway. Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary gallery, the mysterious Shell Grotto, and Dreamgate, a vintage amusement park that often hosts concerts, so there's plenty to do when you've had enough of the beach fun.

Just south of Margate you'll find the charming seaside town of Broadstairs, famous for being the favourite holiday spot of one Charles Dickens. The town features a gently undulating coastline with several bays with sandy beaches, including the family-friendly Viking Bay, the impressive chalk stacks of Botany Bay, and surfer paradise Joss Bay. There are also various Dickensian attractions, including a museum.

The third of the seaside destinations on the Isle of Thanet in Kent, Ramsgate so impressed King George IV that he declared it the UK's only Royal Harbour. In addition to taking in the beautiful waterfront and stunning views, you can relax on the sandy beaches, have a bite and a sip in one of the town's many restaurants and cafés, or explore the cliff coastline. It's within easy reach of London by train, too.

You can escape to the charming British seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea in Essex for a delightful getaway, basking in the beauty of the beach and enjoy the stunning coastal views that the town has to offer. The renowned Southend Pier is an iconic attraction that stretches so far into the sea that it even has its own train service, and there's a fascinating museum to explore when you finally reach the end of the line. The Adventure Island theme park is conveniently located nearby as well.

Brighton is arguably the most iconic seaside town in the entire country, with crowds packing the trains from London on sunny days. Beyond the pretty pebbly beach, you'll find a plethora of fascinating and photogenic opportunities in the town, including the post-apocalyptic wreck of the West Pier in the sea, the recently built i360 viewing tower, the famed Palace Pier, and the opulent Royal Pavilion. The Lanes, streets packed with restaurants, cafés, and shops, are a must-visit as well.

Brighton can be a bit overwhelming and overcrowded, particularly in high season. If you want to stay in the area but are looking for something a bit calmer, head just past Hove to Shoreham-by-Sea, a historic town that was a prominent sea port in Victorian times. It has an active harbour and commercial port to this day, as well as a nice beach that has been designated a nature reserve.

Experience the allure of a one-of-a-kind beach destination by going to Camber Sands, the only sand dune system in East Sussex. You can take in the breath-taking coastal vistas, which become even more captivating during low tide when the remnants of a shipwreck become visible. Camber Sands is also popular among sports enthusiasts, especially kite surfers, and can be reached by train from London.

Part of the memorable Seven Sisters chalk cliff chain, Birling Gap is a tranquil pebble beach even in high season, with a picture-perfect backdrop whichever way you cast your gaze. It sits between Brighton and Eastbourne, on the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in South England, and offers a more isolated beach day – that's why it's also popular with nudists. At the top of the cliffs, you'll find a café with refreshments. Wander eastwards or westwards along the coast for more beaches, for example Cuckmere Haven.

Whitstable is a Kentish town that's popular with water sport enthusiasts, including windsurfers, kite surfers, water skiers, jet ski pilots, and yachters, as well as oyster lovers. Thanks to most of its beaches having no promenade, it offers a more peaceful setting for typical seaside activities such as sunbathing and swimming. At low tide, the receding water reveals The Street, an 800-metre natural strip of shingle running out to sea at right angles to the coast, that you can walk along.

Poking out into the Channel, Dungeness is a fascinating, desolate landscape, punctuated with lighthouses, a nuclear power plant, beached ships and boats, and fishermen's huts. It's a place where any amateur photo- or videographers will have a field day, while the less cinematically inclined among us can wander long stretches of silty shore, eat freshly caught seafood, and ponder life.

On the shores of Frensham Great Pond, a 13th century lake in Waverley, you'll find a pleasant artificial beach, surrounded by beautiful countryside. It can get crowded in high season, but if you do manage to get a spot, you can catch some sun, bathe in the pond, and grab some refreshments from the on-site café or have a picnic.

Two hours by car or train from Victoria Station, the sandy and pebbly East Beach in Littlehampton is over a mile long, offering plenty of space for lounging in the sun, swimming in the sea, building sandcastles, and exploring tidal pools. The greens that border the beach are perfect terrain for a nice picnic or kicking a ball around, and the town of Littlehampton is also home to the longest bench in Britain, running 324 metres along the promenade. It's also home to The Beach, a watersports hub with beachside dining, a rooftop terrace with beach views, and an activity centre where you can learn all kinds of watersports, from kitesurfing and paddleboarding to windsurfing and more.

Despite its historic importance – the number 1066 is surely engraved on every history buff's mind – Hastings is a modern seaside town with a seafront stretching three miles. Strolling along the beach, you'll come upon funfair rides, a pier, a unique double-decker promenade, and even the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in all of Europe. Meanwhile, the town features numerous historic sights, including smugglers' caverns.

A flat shingle beach on the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, Shellness aka Leysdown is an established naturist beach in a remote location. There are no facilities to speak of, but if you want to bathe in the sun without picking up any unsightly tan lines, or just prefer to, ahem, hang loose, head on over here.

About a 90-minute drive from Central London, past the popular Allhallows resort town on the Hoo Peninsula, Isle of Grain offers a remote beach retreat. Looking out at where the rivers Thames and Medway flow together, Isle of Grain is a pleasant beach to spend a sunny afternoon on, away from the crowds of better-known spots, with a village and a National Nature Reserve within easy walking distance.

Eastbourne Beach, or Grand Parade Beach, is the town's main coastal spot. It stretches over two miles and is perfect for swimming and windsurfing. There's even a watersports centre where you can rent equipment and take lessons. Unlike city beaches, it has safe water to swim in. Nearby cafés offer quick bites and there are lively local events like the Beer Festival and the local bandstand, great for sun-filled fun in summer.

West Mersea Beach, located on the picturesque Mersea Island in Essex, offers a peaceful coastal escape not too far from London. With its sandy shores and sweeping views of the estuary, it's a sanctuary for beach enthusiasts and nature lovers. The beach is renowned for its peaceful vibe, making it an ideal spot for relaxing and strolling along the shore. Visitors can enjoy activities such as picnicking, birdwatching, and even crabbing along the jetty. West Mersea Beach also boasts quaint beach huts and seafood shacks, where visitors can enjoy freshly-caught local food while soaking up the coastal scenery.