The sun’s shining.

And the only thing to do is get out of London, go on a day trip and hit the beach.

But with kids in tow, you really want a sandy beach.

And you really want a sandy beach near London.

So where’s best to go?

Well, Brighton and Whistable are all very fine but their beaches ain’t sandy, are they?

And the stunning sandy beaches in Dorset and Norfolk are far too far for a day trip.

But luckily there are a whole bunch of beautiful sandy beaches near London.

And even better, you can be a real Londoner and get to all of these gems on the train.

So much more fun than tailback traffic jams and screaming kids.

This is a list of our fave sandy beaches near London plus recommendations from London friends.

1. Broadstairs

Broadstairs is one of our absolute favourites.

It’s a bustling little holiday town but with the white cliffs behind Viking Bay, it’s got real character.

It’s less than 90 minutes from St Pancras so fab for north Londoners even though it’s in Kent.

For more details check out our daytrips to Broadstairs …

2. Margate

Forget Whistable, Margate is the gem on the north Kent coast!

Its natural harbour make it the best sandy beach near London for kids to paddle and swim.

Like Broadstairs it’s 90 minutes from St Pancras or a bit more from Victoria.

And you literally walk out of the station onto the beach!

You can read about our trips to Margate here …

3. Folkestone

You hear Folkestone and you think ferries.

But Sunny Sands beach is only 53 minutes from St Pancras! Wow!

As well as the beach there’s a seriously cool adventure playground.

And an increasing number of cool places to eat and shop.

4. Littlehampton

Littlehampton in Sussex has two sandy beaches.

So you can take your pick.

East Beach has a funfair and amusements.

West Beach over the river, dunes and a nature reserve.

Both have very cool cafes!

And it’s an hour and 40 minutes direct on the train from Victoria.

You can read about our day trip to Littlehampton here.

5. Frinton

Now everyone’s heard of Clacton but just along the Essex Coast is Frinton.

It’s got a whopping sandy beach.

So even on a sunny day there’s loads of room for everyone.

It’s been our new discovery of the summer. And we love it.

For the full lowdown on a day trip from London to Frinton’s sandy beach read this review from north London blogger The Mama Story.

There aren’t direct trains to Frinton but it’s less than 90 minutes from Liverpool St. And it’s an easy change at Thorp-le-Soken which is a very small station so you can’t get lost.

6. Walton on the Naze

For somewhere between the noise of Clacton and the quiet of Frinton, head to Walton-on-the-Naze.

Walton is just a few minutes up the train line from Frinton and again it’s got a big old sandy beach.

Handily the station is practically on the beach!

In the middle of Walton’s sandy beach is England’s second longest pier.

It’s long! And includes ten pin bowling and other amusements.

OR if you head right up the beach onto the Naze you can dig for fossils.

Right on the beach! How cool is that?

PLUS there are seals in the secret water behind the beach!!

So there you go, six wonderfully sandy beaches near London that are perfect for a day trip.

But wait you say – what about Camber and West Wittering?

Aren’t they sandy? Aren’t they wonderful? Well yes of course!

But the hour long traffic jam in and out, not so much.

And they’re not so easy on the train.

So I reckon, they’re best left for a long weekend where you can be on the beach early and stay after all those day tripping Londoners have gone home 😉

I hope you have fun at the beach.

Do check out my other posts for fun days out follow me on Facebook and check out these posts:

• Pick Your Own Farms in London
• 55 Historic Houses & Palaces in London
• 101 Free Things To Do In London
• London’s Best Woods
• Secret Places In London

Original image source: Walton On Naze