Whether the elusive sun is shining or you just want to escape the city for a coastal walk, nothing beats a bit of sea air.

And fortunately, one of the best things about being in the United Kingdom is that the island country has plenty of beaches - both sandy and pebbled - to choose from in the likes of Essex, Sussex and Kent.

Within just two hours of London you can find idyllic seaside towns with rock sweets, fish and chips and ice cream as well as picturesque vistas of blue (ish) waters that are waiting for you to tip your toe in that'll soon make you forget about the fact you're not on the Amalfi coast. After all, you don't need a mini break abroad to soak up the sun and sip on Sangria, do you?

Here is a list of the 12 best best beaches near London:

1) The Best Beach For Foodies: Whitstable Beach, Kent

best beaches near london
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A firm favourite among southerners, Whistable beach is one of our top picks for a beach close to London given it takes just over an hour to drive there in a car and offers Britons some of the most exquisite and sought-after seafood in the country. Start your day with a walk alongside the colourful fishermen’s huts on the shingle beach at Tankerton and make your way to Whitstable Harbour for fish and chips at Ossie’s, fresh oysters or lobster at the Lobster Shack.

Don’t miss: Whitstable Castle and the 10-mile long Crab and Winkle Way which can be tackled on foot or on bike.

The journey: 65 minutes in the car or 1 hour 21 minutes on train from several London stations.

2) The Best Beach For Attractions: Southend on Sea, Essex

best beaches near london
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With seven miles of sandy beaches - three of which are blue flagged – you’ll find it hard not to choose on a spot to lay down your beach towel and soak up the sun. Home to the world’s longest pleasure pier, constructed in 1830 with a length of 2.16kim from shore, there’s also Hadleigh Castle a short car ride away, Southend Pier Museum and arguably the best fish and chips spot named The Beach Hut.

Don’t miss: Adventure Island has rides galore for all the family (yes, even you big kids) and enough candy floss to keep you buzzing until sundown.

The journey: 1 hour 59 minutes in the car or 54 minutes on the train from Fenchurch Street station.

3) The Best Beach For A Seafood Lunch: West Mersea, Essex

Mersea, Essex
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Fish fanatics should take the day trip to West Mersea to head for lunch at The Company Shed. The land of seafood dreams where oysters, crab and buttery garlic giant scallops are served up on platters to chomp down on picnic tables or on the pebble beach. Don’t forget to bring your own wine (and bread), this place serves up just fish. Then walk off your lunch along the coast to check out the prettiest pastel beach huts to be found near London.

Don’t miss: Stop in at Marine Store Wyatts to pick up a classic fisherman knit or a navy boating hat. Then grab a bottle, or three, of local wine on the way home at Mersea Island Vineyard.

The journey: 1 hour by train from Liverpool Street to Colchester.

4) The Best Beach For Swimming: West Wittering, West Sussex

West Wittering  West Sussex
Barcroft Media//Getty Images

With lifeguards on patrol here all for all the summer months and large stretches of soft spotless sand and clear blue waters, this is the place if you’re feeling brave enough for a dip in the sea.

Don’t miss: Reacclimatise with a post-swim pint at The Lamb Inn, a traditional country pub surrounded by Sussex countryside, complete with comfy sofas and even a fireplace.

The journey: 1.5 hours by train from Victoria to Chichester

5) The Best Beach For Instagram: Dungeness, Kent

 Dungeness Beach
Alan Crowhurst//Getty Images

This flat, shingle-strewn beach filled with weather-beaten black shacks looks eerily post-apocalyptic, helped somewhat by the fact it's loomed over by a huge nuclear power station. But don’t let that put you off – this beach is pure magic. It’s also classified as Britain's only desert.

Don’t miss: Derek Jarman’s Garden, a bright floral wonder of wildflowers set against a black clapboard cottage which is almost impossible not to photograph.

The journey: 1 hour by train from St Pancras to Rye.

6) The Best Beach For Making Friends: Brighton Beach, East Sussex

Brighton Beach
Mike Hewitt//Getty Images

It would be hard to get bored on this bit of famous coastline, after all Brighton beach is overlooked by a pier, funfairs, arcades, cafes, shops and a huge array of fun attractions. It’s unlikely you’ll have the place to yourself so embrace the crowds and make some new friends.

Don’t miss: The fanciful glory of Royal Pavilion, this magical palace built by John Nash promises to deliver a big dose of interiors inspiration.

The journey: 1 hour by train from London Bridge or Victoria to Brighton.

7) The Best Beach For The Boujiee Lifestyle: Hove Beach, East Sussex

Quickly becoming a stalwart Brighton alternative, for those looking to avoid the arcades, pier and droves of vintage-hunters, in favour of a more leisurely upmarket experience, posh punters are heading to nearby Hove. Calmer pebble beaches, leisurely strolls along the promenade to the backdrop of a hundred colourful beach huts, not only is Hove beach an Instagram dream, but it also plays host to one of the most delectable eateries on the Sussex coastline: Rockwater.

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Situated right by the water, Rockwater is a two-storey institution, complete with traditional bar and kitchen, serving their riff on the expected British grub like fish and chips, burgers and lobster rolls, or for those looking for something a little more fancy, the roof terrace offers an extremely special experience. Think champagne spritzes to accompany a variety of small plates like miso black cod, teriaki tacos and tamari beetroot with whipped tofu. Genuinely excellent food, great service and on a sunny day with the roof pulled back and a view of the open water, a similar feeling to being on the French riviera, we kid you not.

Don't miss: Rockwater's little food shacks outside of the main building. The clotted cream and strawberry ice cream is a must-have.

The journey: just over an hour's drive from south London or 1 hour by train from London Bridge or Victoria to Brighton, plus a short uber ride.

8) The Best Beach For Ice Cream Fans: Leigh-On-Sea, Essex

Voted the happiest place in the UK to live, this Essex coastal town on the North side of the Thames Estuary is worth a day trip. Grab a drink from the Crooked Billet pub and a pint of salty cockles from Osborne Bros and enjoy the sea views.

Don’t miss: Take the walk up the hill in to town and by the time you’ve reached the top you’ll have earned yourself an ice cream from Poco Gelato. With flavours such as Chocolate and Chilli, Green Tea and Cardamom, along with all the classics, you'll soon understand why the locals are so happy.

The journey: 45 minutes by train from London Fenchurch Street to Leigh-on-Sea.

9) The Best Beach For Taking A Walk: Botany Bay, Kent

Botany Bay Sunset in Kent
Jennifer Turner//Getty Images

The white cliffs of Kent make this beach one of the most Instagram friendly beaches near London. Dig your feet in to the soft sand and walk between the chalk stacks and explore the rock pools.

Don’t miss: Spend the night at Belvidere Place in Broadstairs. This Farrow and Ball-painted Georgian townhouse a few roads uphill from the seafront is a sleek guest house with five rooms from £130 per night.

The journey: 1.5 hours by train from St Pancras to Broadstairs.

10) The Best Beach For Sand: Camber Sands, East Sussex

Camber Sands
The Gallivant//Getty Images

Longing to feel sand between your toes? Head south to Camber. With long grasses and drift wood fences you’ll feel like you’re in Cape Cod without the 11-hour plane ride. Sit among the dunes and watch the world (and many wind surfers) go by.

Don’t miss: Head for lunch at beach bistro at The Gallivant and enjoy the Hamptons vibe with a menu of locally sourced fish before taking a wander round Rye's cobbled streets and finding an old pub to see in the evening.

The journey: 1 hour by train from St Pancras to Rye

11) The Best Beach For Travelling By Tube: Ruislip Lido Beach, West London

Ruslip Lido
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Jump on the Piccadilly line and head west to Ruislip where you’ll find this 700-acre nature reserve complete with a natural lake and genuine sandy beach.

Don’t miss: Take a woodland ride on this classic miniature railway around the lido.

The journey: Approximately 40 minutes on the tube (depending on starting point) to Ruislip, Zone 6 then a little 20-minute walk.

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