London is famous for its red buses and royal palaces, but many visitors do not know it also has real sand. Yes, the city and its edge have spots where you can swim, sit in the sun, and enjoy a cool drink with your toes in the water! Many of the city’s beaches are located along the Thames River, offering different view points, either from a sandy shore or a pebbled beach. Are you ready for that summer tan in London? Continue reading to discover the top 12 London beaches for this summer, how to get there, and what’s so special about them. Grab a towel and read on!
Key Takeaways
- You can reach clean beaches within thirty minutes of the city centre in London, especially near the River Thames.
- London’s beaches that you can find inside the city are: Ruislip Lido, Thames Beach, Bankside Beach, Royal Victoria Dock, Hidden Beach Bermondsey, Rotherhithe Beach, Stepney Beach
- Beaches that are close to London, within a 1.5 hour drive, include Southend City Beach, Chalkwell Beach, Canvey Island Beach, Sheerness Beach, Whitstable Beach, Joyce Green Beach
Beaches in London
Ruislip Lido Beach
- Location: Reservoir Road, Ruislip HA4 7TX
- Transportation: 45 minutes from the city centre via the Metropolitan line to Ruislip, then bus H13.
Ruislip Lido is a large lake with a wide band of soft sandy beaches and tall pine trees. A small train circles the water and keeps children happy while parents relax. Lifeguards watch a marked swim zone during warm months, and a café sells ice cream and coffee. Arrive early on hot weekends because parking fills fast. The calm water and gentle slope make it perfect for first-time swimmers and family picnics. Play areas with pirate ships, swings, and a splash water park provide fun activities for kids.
Thames Beach
- Location: London SE1 9PP
- Transportation: 20 minutes from the city centre via the Jubilee line to Waterloo, then walk five minutes.
When the tide is low, a sandy stretch appears beside Gabriel’s Wharf. Locals call it Thames Beach. Bring a blanket, watch river boats glide past, and join a free guided mudlark tour if you like history. Swimming is not advised, but paddling is common, and the view of St Paul’s across the water is hard to beat. Street food stalls and live music on the South Bank give the area a lively mood every summer evening.
Bankside Beach
- Location: 52 Hopton St, London SE1 9JH
- Transportation: 15 minutes from the city centre via the Central line to St Paul’s, then cross the Millennium Bridge.
Bankside Beach shows up twice a day when the tide drops. Families build pebbled towers on the stoney beach while street artists perform on the pavement above. It’s only a short walk from the Tate Modern, and the access point is on the left side of the Tate Modern building. Grab a coffee from the nearby food market, sit on the worn wooden steps, and enjoy an urban beach with a world class art gallery behind you. Check the tide tables first so you do not miss the beach with an amazing view of London’s skyscrapers.
Royal Victoria Dock Beach
- Location: 1 Dock Road, London E16 1AG
- Transportation: 25 minutes from the city centre via the Docklands Light Railway.
Every July, this East London dock gets a makeover with fresh sand, deck chairs, and beach volleyball courts. The water is tidal but stays clean thanks to the constant flow. Book an open water session or learn wakeboarding to enjoy the beach fully. Food stalls serve jerk chicken, churros, and cold drinks. Music plays into the evening, and the nearby cable car gives amazing sunset views. Find out more details about seasonal events on the Royal Dock’s official website.
Hidden Beach (Bermondsey Beach)
- Location: Greenland Dock Pier, Rope Street SE16 7TX
- Transportation: 10 minutes from the city centre via an overground ride to Rotherhithe, then walk another 10 minutes.
A crescent of fine sand appears on the south side of Greenland Dock during very low tide. Rotherhithe Beach is popular with dog walkers and paddleboarders. Picnic benches stand on the quay above, and a floating café serves fresh pastries. At high tide, you can join a short kayaking lesson that ends with coffee on the beach when the water drops again.
Rotherhithe Beach
- Location: Greenland Dock Pier, Rope Street SE16 7TX
- Transportation: 10 minutes from the city centre via an overground ride to Rotherhithe, then walk another 10 minutes.
A crescent of fine sand appears on the south side of Greenland Dock during very low tide. Rotherhithe Beach is popular with dog walkers and paddleboarders. Picnic benches stand on the quay above, and a floating café serves fresh pastries. At high tide, you can join a short kayaking lesson that ends with coffee on the beach when the water drops again.
Beaches Near London
Southend City Beach
- Location: Marine Parade, Southend on Sea SS1 2EJ
- Transportation: 1.5 hour drive from London
Southend offers arcades, beach life, and the world’s longest pier of 2.14 km. City Beach sits next to Adventure Island theme park and Sea Life Aquarium, so thrill rides and sea creatures are just steps away. Lifeguards patrol in summer, and the huge fountain is always popular among family visitors. If you are looking for an all-in-one stop for entertainment, watersports, and convenience, this is the right place to go.
Chalkwell Beach
- Location Chalkwell Esplanade, Westcliff on Sea SS0 8JH
- Transportation: 1.5 hour drive from London
Walk ten minutes west of Southend Pier for a quieter scene. Colourful huts and a long promenade frame Chalkwell. At low tide, warm pools appear, perfect for younger visitors. Grab an ice cream or a coffee at many kiosks on the beachside to enjoy a relaxing walk. Note that dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to September. Read more about the beach guidelines on the official website.
Concord Beach
- Location Eastern Esplanade, Canvey Island SS8 7DJ
- Transportation: 1 hour drive from London
Also known as Canvey Island Beach, Concord Beach is located on Eastern Esplanade, close to the Fantasy Island Amusement Park. A long, sandy beach welcomes visitors of all ages. The tidal swimming pool is a big hit among the children, while the unobstructed view of the Kent coast draws in many tourists. Labworth Café and Concord Café are two landmarks that have lived through the history of the beach’s development as a seaside resort area from the 1930s. Be reminded that dogs are not allowed from April to September in this area.
Sheerness Beach
- Location: Beach Street, Sheerness ME12 1RE
- Transportation: 1.5 hour drive from London
Sheerness holds a Blue Flag for clean water and a tidy shore. The shore is mostly covered with smooth pebbles, though small stripes of sand appear here and there. When the tide is low, tiny pools form and you can spot crabs, shrimp, and other sea life. Behind the beach stands a strong sea wall that doubles as a wide path for walkers and cyclists. There are no toilets or cafes on the beach, but a fast food place, a supermarket, and many restaurants sit only a few minutes away.
Whitstable Beach
- Location: Marine Parade, Whitstable CT5 2BQ
- Transportation: 1.5 hour drive from London
Weatherboard cottages, indie coffee shops, and famous oyster shacks create a scenic atmosphere at this pebble beach. Low tide reveals rock pools full of tiny crabs. When the tide is about two thirds of the way out, it creates a deep enough area to swim in. Bring a paddleboard or sit by the beach to watch fishing boats pass by.
Joyce Green Beach
- Location: Marsh Street, Dartford DA1 5PU
- Transportation: 1 hour drive from London
Joyce Green sits on a quiet curve of the Thames, backed by grassy marsh and wide skies. The sand is fine and the water is shallow at low tide, which makes it safe for younger kids. Bird watchers come for herons and egrets, while walkers follow signed trails to old river forts. There are no shops on the beach, so pack a picnic and take your rubbish home.
Conclusion
London is full of surprises, and its wide choice of beaches proves it. You can float in the Ruislip Lido before lunch or enjoy a picnic at Hidden Beach and still be back in town for a show. If you are hesitant about which ones to pick, Amitylux can plan a personal tour that brings you to these sunny spots on your dream London holiday.
Tell us if you want an early swim at Sheerness Beach, fresh oysters in Whitstable or come back to the city for sunset drinks at one of the best rooftop bars in London, or to a relaxing cafe for an afternoon tea. We’ll sort the travel and the timing so you just relax! Craving more ideas? Read our guide on how to spend the best summer in London, and start building your warm weather plan!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any beaches in London?
Yes. Ruislip Lido, Thames Beach, Bankside Beach, Royal Victoria Dock Beach, Hidden Beach, and Rotherhithe Beach are all located inside the Greater London area.
Does the UK have nice beaches?
Spots like Sheerness Beach hold a Blue Flag for clean water, soft sand, or smooth shingle. Not all beaches in the UK have fine sandy strips, but many offer decent pebble beaches with clean water.
Can you swim at the beaches in London?
You can. Lifeguards watch the swim zones at Ruislip Lido every summer, while supervised open water sessions run at Royal Victoria Dock Beach.
