With the temperature rising and summer nearly upon us – who doesn’t love a trip to the coast. Here are our favourite spots.
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Camber Sands is a truly gorgeous stretch of golden beach and sand dunes. At nearly 5 miles long, there will always be somewhere to lay your beach towel. The best section of beach is the western end, near where the River Rother empties into the sea. Here it is wall to wall sand, whilst further along the beach it becomes more shingly.
It’s a popular windsurfing / kite-surfing spot which might suggest it is worth packing a windbreak! Despite its fantastic natural assets, Camber Sands remains largely unspoilt. For the larger part of the year, there is a good chance of finding some solitude here and even in the height of summer the crowds are bearable.
Dog friendly? – Dogs are allowed all year but between May and September they must be on a lead and restricted between beach Zones F & H.
Travel time – Approx 1hr 30mins from RH2
West Wittering, West Sussex
A firm favourite with most of the office is the beautiful beach at West Wittering. Unfortunately, it is also a firm favourite with most of the south-east so make sure you set off early to avoid the traffic.
Offering wonderful views of Chichester Harbour and the South Downs beyond, the natural and unspoilt sandy beach of West Wittering is the perfect spot for a day at the beach. The extensive acres of neatly mown grass close to the beach are perfect for parking and picnics. The sea is popular with wind and kite surfers, while shallow lagoons are left on extensive sandy flats at low tide. The whole area is internationally recognised for its wildlife, birds and unique beauty.
Dog friendly? Bins are provided and dog free zones are in place from May to September.
Travel time – Approx 1hr 30mins from RH2
Ferring, West Sussex
This is one of our closest beaches and it’s a real hidden gem. Located between Worthing and Goring on the Sussex coast, Ferring is primarily a pebbly beach but if you go at low tide the sands seem to go on for miles. The beach starts at the Bluebird Cafe a great spot for brunch / lunch or a sundowner – you can also park here. The beach is very dog friendly with no restrictions at any time of year. This part of the coast is popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers and you can swim here. There are no lifeguards on duty, but coastal wardens are on patrol in the holidays. You can ride horses on this beach, and you will often see them riding along the seashore.
Dog friendly? Yep!
Travel time – About 50mins from RH2
Broadstairs, Kent
On the East Coast of Kent Broadstairs is a gem a town, full of seaside charm mixed with seaside chic and it boasts an impressive seven sand-filled beaches and bays. Head to Joss Bay to learn to surf, or rural Botany Bay to saunter amid towering chalk stacks. At the town’s main beach, Viking Bay, discover children’s rides, beach huts, Kent Surf School, a harbour and cliff-top promenade. Check out Morellis, the retro ice cream parlour along the promenade which has been open since 1932.
Dog friendly? During the summer months there are time restrictions on most of the beaches between 10am-6pm
Travel time – About 1hr 30 from RH2
Whitstable, Kent
The chic seaside town of Whitstable, on the North Kent Coast, has been a longtime favourite location for Londoners to get away from it all. The beach itself is a long stretch of shingle divided up by wooden groynes. It runs from just south of the town’s harbour to neighbouring Seasalter -a distance of around a mile, where you will find the The Sportsman, the well renowned and Michelin starred pub.
Despite the lack of sand Whitstable is still a fantastic spot. It represents the best of the traditional British seaside; not piers and donkey rides, but quirkiness and charm. There are beach huts, weatherboard cottages, fishing boats pulled up on the beach and the Neptune pub sits practically on the beach. There are a few other places to grab a bite to eat along the beach too, including the Whitstable Oyster Company restaurant if you fancy something a little upmarket.
Whitstable beach is popular for windsurfing and sailing, with the Whitstable Yacht Club located at the northern end.
To top this all off Whitstable beach faces west meaning it is a great place to catch a sunset.
Dog friendly? Yep!
Travel time – About 1hr 30 from RH2
Dungeness, Kent
Don’t expect your usual ‘beach trip’ as it’s impossible to escape the sense of having reached the end of the world when you get to Dungeness. This tiny fishing town, at the southernmost point of Kent, is very different from the ‘Garden of England’ of the imagination. Instead of bucolic homes and village greens, you’ll find a stark, wild landscape. The vast shingle desert headland is overlooked by the imposing Dungeness Nuclear Power Station but is renowned for its unique beauty, from its weathered wood cabins to its abandoned fishing boats – not to mention the wildlife that thrives there. It is also home to Prospect Cottage and its beautiful garden – former home of Derek Jarman, the film producer. Its bleak, beautiful and I love it.
Dog friendly? Yes
Travel time – Approx 1 hr 50 mins from RH2
Original article - https://www.robertleech.com/our-6-favourite-beaches-in-the-south-east/