Seaside Day Trips from London

When you need fresh air, saltwater, and a break from the city, seaside day trips, short getaways to the coast within easy reach of London. Also known as coastal escapes from London, these trips let you swap traffic jams for tide pools, and concrete sidewalks for sandy shores—all in a single day. You don’t need a car, a week off, or a passport. Just a train ticket, a towel, and the urge to feel the wind off the sea.

Most of these trips start from London’s major stations—Victoria, Liverpool Street, or Charing Cross—and get you to the coast in under two hours. Places like Brighton, Hastings, and Southend are classics for a reason: they have wide beaches, promenades lined with fish and chips, and enough charm to make you forget you’re still in England. But there’s more. Head to Whitstable for oysters straight off the boat, or to Margate for vintage arcades and quiet coves. Bognor Regis has those wide, flat sands perfect for kids. And if you want something quieter, try Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast, where the waves roll in slow and the pubs serve real ale without a queue.

These spots aren’t just about sunbathing. They’re tied to real history, local food, and simple pleasures. In Hastings, you can walk the old pier and still see the fishing boats coming in. In Southend, the longest pleasure pier in the world lets you stroll out over the water without ever leaving dry land. And in places like Dungeness, you’ll find a strange, wild landscape of shingle beaches and nuclear power plants that somehow look right at home next to a tiny café serving crab sandwiches.

What makes these trips work isn’t luxury—it’s ease. You can leave London by 9 a.m., be walking on sand by noon, and be back in the city by 8 p.m. No hotels to book. No long drives. No stress. Just a train, a sandwich, and the sound of gulls overhead. The best part? You’ll find locals who’ve lived there their whole lives and still treat the sea like it’s something special. Not a tourist attraction. Not a photo op. Just home.

Below, you’ll find real recommendations from people who’ve done it: the quiet beaches that don’t get crowded, the cafes that serve proper coffee, the train times that actually work, and the hidden spots you won’t find on a brochure. These aren’t generic lists. They’re the kind of tips you get from someone who’s been there, got the salt in their shoes, and wants you to have the same good day.