The best of the UK’s beaches for 2025 have officially been revealed and you can find three of them within a two-hour drive or train ride of London.
You don’t have to travel too far from London to find yourself in some of the UK’s best beaches, from family-friendly spots like Margate with its amusements, to quiet beaches like Normans Bay with views of the Sussex coast.
This week The Times and The Sunday Times published its 17th annual list of the UK’s best beaches to visit, from remote shores for birdwatching to accessible beaches for families.
Three of them can be found along the Kent and Sussex coastline, within two hours of London by car or train, offering a mix of entertainment, scenic walks and coastal views for your next day at the beach.
We’ve rounded up all of them and what you need to know:
Margate, Kent
How to get there: One hour 45 minutes by car or train from London Victoria
One of Kent’s busiest seaside towns, Margate offers plenty to do from art galleries and museums to rides, amusements and live music at Dreamland.
The beach is one of the most accessible for those not travelling by car, with Margate Sands beach being just a few minutes walk from Margate station.
The town underwent a transformation over the last few decades and is now a popular choice on account of its many things to do and award-winning sandy beach for sandcastle-building, with plenty of chippies, cafes and ice cream spots nearby.
One of the highlights of Margate which ranked it on the list was its Shell Grotto – a mysterious underground tunnel lined with 4.6 million seashells, the origins of which are still unknown to this day.
Normans Bay, East Sussex
How to get there: Two hours by car or two and a half hours by train from London Victoria
If it’s a serene spot you’re after for walking, birdwatching and relaxing, Normans Bay is a quiet shingle beach nestled between the busier towns of Bexhill and Eastbourne.
Just off the A259, this beach with its steep steps into the sea is well suited for those looking to fish or go for a peaceful walk.
The beach is one of Sussex’s many beaches known for its links with smugglers, making it feel like stepping back into a pocket in time.
The Times recommended a visit to the nearby Star Inn Pub – a historic pub dating back to 1402 where you can stop off for Sunday lunch.
Selsey, West Sussex
How to get there: Two and a half hours by car
This final beach on the list isn’t known for picturesque views, but with its functional seafront of concrete promenade and modest homes, this shingle beach has remained virtually untouched by any development.
Being a lesser known and less frequented beach, this spot is well suited to anyone looking for a quiet stop to visit to enjoy seascape sounds and views.
If you’re up for a walk, you can walk to West Sands where you’ll pass Gibbet Field, once used to display the bodies of captured smugglers – a haunting but fascinating site to see.
