London is one of the world's great cities — the capital of England and the United Kingdom, a former heart of a global empire, and today a cosmopolitan metropolis of nine million people drawing visitors from every country. The city holds more UNESCO-listed sites, Michelin-starred restaurants, and free world-class museums than almost any other capital. From the medieval Tower of London and the palaces of Westminster to the street food of Borough Market, the theatres of the West End, and the galleries of Tate Modern, London offers an almost inexhaustible range of experiences across its 33 boroughs.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in London.
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- deck chair hire
- shingle beach
- pier
- arcades
- seafront restaurants
- beach bars
Brighton Beach
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- wide sandy beach
- sand dunes
- car parking
- seasonal café
- public toilets
- lifeguards (July–August)
Camber Sands
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- pebble and sand beach
- oyster bars
- seafront pubs
- beach huts
- harbour
- fish and chip shops
Whitstable Beach
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- sandy beach
- sheltered bay
- deck chair hire
- ice cream stalls
- seafront cafés
- public toilets
Broadstairs Viking Bay
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- sandy and mudflat beach
- world's longest pleasure pier (2.16km)
- amusement park
- seafront restaurants
- public toilets
- Adventure Island theme park
Southend-on-Sea
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- sandy beach
- chalk stacks
- rock pools
- no facilities (bring provisions)
- dog-friendly (year-round)
- National Trust coastline
Botany Bay Broadstairs
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- large sandy beach
- Dreamland amusement park
- Turner Contemporary gallery nearby
- seafront restaurants
- public toilets
- lifeguards (seasonal)
Margate Main Sands
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- open-air freshwater lido
- changing rooms
- showers
- café
- sun terrace
- paddleboats
Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.