Any sandy beach suitable for day out from London?

inspector_monkfish

susancs wrote: »

I agree that Southend is not far and as well as the beach has a long pier with a train on it and Adventure Island theme park for which you buy a daily wrist band for depending on age (you can also use Tesco club deal vouchers). The good thing about it is it is free to get in and if adults don't want to go on the rides they don't purchase a wrist band and can just sit on a bench and wait for the child to come off rides (very short queues even in July there) . They also have a nice jungle restaurant a bit like the Rainforest cafe (but less expensive) with animated realistic looking animals.
http://www.adventureisland.co.uk/

Southend is an awful beach!!

I live about 20mins drive from it, but would rather drive 1hr to go to somewhere like Frinton !!

inspector_monkfish

kawan2 wrote: »

Thank you for the suggestions. I will discuss with the rest of the family as to where will go.

OH has suggested that we go further afield with the Railcard and stay a day or 2 instead of just a day trip. Suggestions have included St Ives, Cromer, Scarborough and Isle of Wight. I had a quick look at the train fares. They were pretty reasonable. The only thing was accommodation was so expensive! Overall, the cost of train fare and accommodation to St Ives cost about nearly much as our trip to Istanbul 2 weeks ago!

Cheers.

Isle of White is good.
most hotels include free ferry trip in their price
not sure how it works with getting there on the train though...

stayed here once, a while back, kids loved it as it was right on the beach:
http://www.sandringhamhotel.co.uk/

duchy

When my son was tiny my Mum wanted to take us all on a proper bucket and spade holiday. We went to Littlehampton-it's do-able for a day trip but would also make a really nice short break as there are some really nice B&Bs. Direct train from Victoria.

savemoney

How about the new Scarborough Travelodge its only be opened 2 or so weeks close to beach (10 minutes max) its in town and also 10 minutes max to train station

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/search_and_book/hotel_overview.php?hotel_id=396

kawan2 wrote: »

Thank you for the suggestions. I will discuss with the rest of the family as to where will go.

OH has suggested that we go further afield with the Railcard and stay a day or 2 instead of just a day trip. Suggestions have included St Ives, Cromer, Scarborough and Isle of Wight. I had a quick look at the train fares. They were pretty reasonable. The only thing was accommodation was so expensive! Overall, the cost of train fare and accommodation to St Ives cost about nearly much as our trip to Istanbul 2 weeks ago!

Cheers.

a_sav

We love Margate via Victoriais our fav as itsl got lots of sand, Littlehampton from East Croydon has plenty to keep us amused,Weymouth from Waterloo is lovely but a long 2.30 trip

creased-leach

I'd scoot down to the coast to Ramsgate, and walk/ get a bus to Broadstairs, both have merits, and nice sandy beaches. Lots of nice bays in between the two. Broadstairs is quaint, and Ramsgate has a beautiful harbour.

nancy711

Camber Sands is probably your best bet. But personally I prefer the shingles of Brighton.

kjmtidea

Come to Bournemouth, it is fab! There is also an aquarium on the beach front too.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I am not in London (in the Midlands) but thanks for that link to the travelodge at Scarborough. I will be looking out for £9 rooms for that one.

Moonchild

It might not be so relevant, but we were looking at going to Frinton or Wivenhoe with Friends and Family Railcard, but was costing an absurd £50 (with overnight stay).

But looked at Brighton, and ended up booking a £13 return for all 3 of us, great value. If you use the Southern site, and book the day before, and definitely put London Victoria into the departure box there are amazing fares to all beaches along that stretch that you can reach via Brighton (i.e Eastbourne, Hastings etc), so if anyone knows any nice sandy beaches along that stretch of the coast you might get a great deal.