Hi there, we have traveled down to Brighton 3 or 4 times and just love it, the sea breeze, The Pleasure Pier and the Lanes. Can anyone recommend an easy to get to alternative for a day out of London's hustle and Bustle? Thanks.
Posted by
New England
702 posts
I loved my September 2018 visit to Eastbourne, which could be done as a very full day trip although I chose to stay overnight. Enjoyed fish and chips on the pier, a bandstand concert, walked a bit of the South Downs Way from Beachy Head to Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. I didn’t have a vehicle so I used the (seasonal) hop-on, hop-off Eastbourne Sightseeing bus with a 24-hour ticket to get around.
https://www.visiteastbourne.com
Posted by
Ilinois
21 posts
We were also there September of 2018! I second Eastbourne. We stayed 2 nights there after arriving in England. Our hotel and room were across the street from the water which was wonderful. We had a nice time there and took a double decker bus tour of the town and surrounding area (Seven Sisters and Beachy Head included). We also took the train from there to Hastings for the day to see the sights. I would go back to stay again.
Posted by
Moncton NB
1127 posts
Never actually done it, so can't recommend, but I've always wanted to check out Southend. Easy rail connection from Liverpool Street.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8002 posts
We have dear friends in Shoeburyness, the train stop just beyond Southend-on-Sea. The area’s lovely, and the train’s a breeze.
Posted by
Sevilla
1298 posts
Perhaps Whitstable?
About 80 minutes by rail from London and pleasant for a day trip. It's famous for oysters and has a foody & arty-farty shopping area which is a bit reminiscent of The Lanes. Whitstable is much smaller than Brighton though.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Eastbourne is a bit like Brighton, but with far less charm and no quaint bits. The seafront is nice and colourful in the summer.
Whitstable has already been mentioned and is more charming. I also like old town Hastings (where Foyle’s War) was filmed. It has a funicular railway to the top of the cliffs where there is a country park with great views. Hastings new town is very average. The seafront is similar to Eastbourne but the eastern end is the location of the unusual old fisherman’s huts where fresh fish can still be bought. Fishing boats are winched onto the beach. There is also a modern art gallery - Hastings Contemporary on the seafront. There are many good independent cafes for coffee or lunch. It’s about 1.5 hours by train from London Charing Cross.
Posted by
3124 posts
One English beach I'd love to visit is Holkham.
https://www.holkham.co.uk/nature-reserve-beach/the-beach/introduction
To get there from London on public transport you have to take a train to King's Lynn and then a bus (27 miles), so it might actually work better with an overnight stay, but FWIW see
https://www.holkham.co.uk/visiting/details/how-to-find-us
Personally my dream would be to spend a few nights at the Victoria Inn adjacent to Holkham Hall, attend one of the concerts there, make a visit to Sandringham, and relax at the beach. That would involve renting a car for the duration.