Five great getaways to the beach less than 2 hours’ drive from London

COMBINE A CITY TRIP TO LONDON WITH A BEACH GETAWAY AT THE ENGLISH COAST

Five great getaways to the beach less than 2 hours’ drive from London

When you think of England, you often think of London with its iconic Big Ben, London Eye and red telephone booths. The ideal place for a city trip just an hour's flight from Amsterdam. Yet from this shopping mecca you will also find peace, space and nature along the English coast less than two hours away. The rich coastal area is ideal for those looking for beautiful views, high cliffs and other natural wonders. On the piers you can enjoy stunning views of the sea, while the seafront promenades are lined with English pubs and bars. For vacationers who want to combine a shopping trip with wild nature, endless beaches and the best fish and chips take your pick from a selection below of beach getaways less than a two-hour drive from London.

1. Southend-on-Sea

Take the train from London and you'll be on the beach in the coastal town of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, within 45 minutes. A coastal town where besides the beach and shops you can also find many different entertainment forms. For example, next to the pier is the Adventure Island amusement park with more than 50 attractions. The Aquarium Sea-Life Adventure also offers a nice trip in this coastal town. Perfect for a breath of fresh air is a walk on the beach or the longest pier in the world. The pier is no less than 2.2 kilometers long and immediately gives you the opportunity to walk off a well-earned drink at the end of the pier. For those who want the drink, but not the walk, there is also a train that runs to the end of the pier!

2. Brighton

Brighton is less than one hour from London on the South Coast. This lively seaside resort is perfect for escaping the capital and is known for its clean sea air and sea water and widepebble beach. Along the beach-front there is plenty of entertainment, so children can enjoycarousel rides, fairgroundattractions here and plenty of street food. For active holidaymakers there are beach volleyball competitions and surfing lessons and there is a large selection of clubs and bars for a pleasant evening. The Brighton Palace Pier is full of entertainment and features a large amusement park and aquarium. Race against each other in the bumper cars or allow yourself to fall down from a height of 38 meters. In Brighton you can also find the oldest working electric railroad in the world along the beach, the Volk's Electric Railway from 1883 with which you can take a short tour along the coast of the seaside town. Brighton’s just a short hop from London but offers plenty of nightlife, theatre shows and lovely shops and dining options in The Lanes, a network of pretty pedestrianised historic streets.

Kent, known as ‘the Garden of England’ has a number of tempting seaside options:

3. Tankerton beach

Tankerton beach, offers a peaceful retreat for those looking for safe swimming and well-managed facilities. From the attractive Marine Parade promenade, grassy banks run gently down to a pebble beach characterized by beautiful wooden painted beach huts and an established sailing club. The beach is less than a two-hour drive from London and perfect for families, walkers and water sports enthusiasts. After all that paddling, walking and swimming you can relax on the shore while enjoying a picnic. And while you’re here don’t miss out on delicious local Whitstable Oysters, the freshest taste of the sea!

4. Herne Bay

Herne Bay is a small coastal town in Kent, an hour and a half's drive from London. Here you can walk along the waterfront with a view of two piers that are characterized by souvenir shops in the form of beach huts. The Herne Bay Festival also takes place here in July when the seaside resort is transformed into a music festival with a spectacular fireworks show. In other months of the year you will also find a wide selection of entertainment in the form of attractions, ice cream parlours and cosy cafés and pubs. Ideal for a moment of relaxation while enjoying a glass of champagne and local seafood.

5. Folkestone

The family-friendly Sunny Sands Beach is located in Folkestone, about an hour and a half's drive from London. This is a popular beach due to sandy beach, its central location and many cafes, pubs and beach shops. A sand castle competition is held here every year in July. This event attracts a lot of attention and guarantees creative sand sculptures in all shapes and sizes. The zigzag paths to Lower Leas Coastal Parks are ideal for beautiful walks. . A range of children's events are offered in the summer and there is also a real amphitheater where theater and music performances are held during the warmer months. With award-winning ice-cream on offer all day, this is the perfect coastal escape for families!

Contact : Sheron Crossman

Telefoon : 01202 451 805

Email : sheron.crossman@coastaltourismacademy.co.uk