Best beaches near London

A swathe of shingle punctuated by weathered groynes and backed by pretty beach huts, Whitstable beach is a glorious place for a stroll, crabbing expedition or lazy day’s sunbathing, with a gentle slope that makes swimming possible in summer. The town itself is made up of fascinating little shops and superb restaurants serving native oysters. One of the nearest beaches to London, Whitstable makes an ideal day trip from the capital.

Broadstairs’ town beach, sandy Viking Bay, is a lovely golden crescent at the foot of the cliffs, and accessible, in summer, by lift. Then there’s Joss Bay, which, with its long sands and shallow waters, offers the best surfing in the Southeast – it’s home to the Joss Bay Surf School and a refreshments kiosk. Further north are quiet Kingsgate Bay, with its sea caves, and best of all, the stunning Botany Bay with its towering chalk stacks, caves, shallow rockpools and stepping stones of creamy white boulders. For sheer sandy brilliance, Botany Bay is definitely one of the best beaches near London.

Deal beach is a long, uninterrupted shingle swathe, almost entirely uncommercialized and perfect for bracing walks. The wide coastal path, suitable for walkers and cyclists, takes you past a picturesque ensemble of fishing boats, tatty lobster pots and chalky white fishing huts via Walmer Castle, the largest of the three castles Henry VIII had built in the area to defend this strategically important coastline. As well as its landmark pier, Deal town is a thriving hub of shops, cafes and restaurants. Discover this fascinating town with these hotels in Deal.

Three miles east of Rye, on the other side of the River Rother estuary, Camber Sands is a two-mile stretch of sandy beach that’s the stuff of dreams: soft, fine sand backed by tufty dunes, with gently shelving shallows stretching for half a mile when the sea retreats at low tide. The beach is also popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers.

So much more than a beach break, Hastings has all the ingredients for a perfect weekend retreat: some fantastic places to stay; a picturesque Old Town crammed with great pubs, cafés and independent shops; a still-working fishing quarter down on the beach where you can tuck into fish hauled in that morning; a seafront that combines plenty of tacky seaside amusements with a sleek modern art gallery and an architecturally prize-winning pier.