Sussex & Brighton: Best Beaches, Coastal Towns & Hidden Gems

These aren’t just postcard-perfect beaches– they’re for swimming and clambering, sunbathing and shell-hunting, treking, hiking-gear neglecting and pub-stopping. They’re for the brave (try slipping down to Fairlight Glen by means of the ‘get in at your own risk’ indications), the barefoot (hi, West Wittering), and the birdwatchers (Selsey has even more unusual discoveries than Soho Residence has oat level whites). Dive in.

Brighton: A Beach Playground

Step out of Brighton Station and you’re a walk far from the sea … and what a stretch it is. From the slide carousel to the scorched bones of the West Pier, Brighton’s beach is our play area. You’ll find pop-up health clubs and volleyball courts, paddleboarders, drag queens and stag dos. And when the sun’s out? You’ll also find every pebble occupied by sunbathers.

Littlehampton: Sandy Shores & Countryside

At high tide this is just a scrap of low-profile shoreline, yet when the tide heads out a white stretch of sand in between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis is exposed. Countryside hugs the shoreline, which has experienced erosion for many years regardless of the wooden groynes in position to shield it, yet the beach itself stays fairly undamaged, and the water depletes handfuls of sea brick, shells and bladderwrack seaweed to choose through. Grab a crab sandwich from the booth, then roam across the dunes in the direction of Littlehampton. Comply With the River Arun inland to loop back to the start, or visit at Thomas Heatherwick’s East Beach Cafe for fresh bagels and suppers rustled up from local fish, foraged components and the like.

Despite being made of recycled plastic, it looks like wood and gives much better access to the Local Nature Book coastline to those with limited wheelchair. One regional said that, on a good day, the area advised her of the Algarve.

Eastbourne: Italian Gardens & Water Sports

Much much less busy than Brighton’s major drag, the beach at Eastbourne is just a 15-minute walk from the station. Start the day at The Roastery by Nelson Coffee, a loosened up brunch area for lazy early mornings and appropriate mixtures plus sticky stacks of maple-roasted peach pancakes, then roam to the Italian Gardens, which has an al fresco amphitheatre sculpted into the cliff-face a stone’s toss from Holywell Bay. Stylish types must head to Buzz Active for lessons in paddleboarding, kayaking and sailing– it’s best by Princes Park, with its large shallow lake that’s newbie pleasant, also when the climate’s harsh.

Worthing’s Coastal Charm & Pier

Worthing’s constantly been Brighton’s slower sibling– much less glitter, even more grit. But recently it’s had a quiet renaissance, and no place reveals that far better than the pier. You have actually obtained your common candyfloss suspects, sure, however additionally Perch on the Pier slinging good brunches, exhibitions at nearby Pillars Residence and a regional group in which tattooed creatives massage shoulders with dog-walking grannies. Time it right and you’ll locate an indie film festival or a sea shanty singalong. It’s all really coastal granny fulfills Margate 2010. And indeed, that’s a praise.

Brighton is one of the UK’s favorite seaside cities for a factor: it’s welcoming, rough and expressive around the edges in the very best way. However sometimes– when the bbqs are smoking and the mobile audio speakers are growing– you want something a bit more secluded. The bright side? You don’t need to go far.

Birling Gap & Seven Sisters Cliffs

At the base of Went Hillside, Birling Gap’s pebble beach is enclosed by the Seventh Sister’s large cliff-face. Its placement provides a panoramic sight of the undulating large declines of Seaford Chalk and forms the final stretch of the South Downs Way. The coastal route from Birling Gap to Beachy Head makes for a supporting, windy walk, with the sea on one side and meadow on the various other. Past the lighthouse is Cow Void, which continues to be fairly undiscovered as steps were only included 2017, and Falling Sands, a small contour of sand with plenty of rock swimming pools for youngsters to discover.

Photographs can not begin to catch the powerful existence of the Seven Sisters, the chalk high cliffs that cut the South Downs like a ribbon of fondant topping. Between Eastbourne and Seaford, Cuckmere Place is among the many roof shingles coastlines under the Sis and one of the finest. There are two sides to the dog-friendly beach, which is separated by the mouth of Cuckmere River, and the eastern side is superior with more room to expand and much better swimming. To obtain accessibility, park at Seven Sisters Parking Lot, after that follow the meandering waterways– lined with wild red star-thistle, green-winged orchid and yellow-horned poppy– for about 15 minutes on foot until you hit the roof shingles. Take an extra set of shoes you do not mind getting wet (the pebbles undersea are unsafe) plus plenty of materials as there are no stores, and inspect the trend– when it’s low, you have to wade out for some time before the water is deep sufficient to swim in. And bring treats; there are no coffee shops or shops down near the shore.

Neither as well twee neither also rigid, Bexhill is a patient move of tile that’s beaten by easy-pace retirees and has among Britain’s finest modernist structures holding court: the De La Warr Pavilion. Opt for modern exhibits, an excellent coffee shop and sea sights from every angle. Bring on to the Bexhill Gallery where collections include fossils, style and Edwardian motorcars. Come for the culture, stay for the seagull-dodging strolls along the front, where fish-and-chip stores massage shoulders with vinyl shops and antique bookshops. The coastline itself is silent, truthful and completely plain– as all the very best ones are.

Cycle 20 mins from main Brighton through the Undercliff Walk, past the Sea Lanes and Soho House, and you’ll strike Saltdean– a beach that sits in its very own time warp: a gentle shingle cove flanked by towering chalk high cliffs, backdropped by white bungalows and persuading tamarisk. The big draw though is Saltdean Lido, a perfectly recovered 1930s Art Deco swimming pool simply a short stroll inland. We like a couple of sizes adhered to by a salty siesta under its candy-striped sunshades. For a panoramic coastal view, climb up to Telscombe Cliffs Viewpoint and recall over the contour of the bay.

Camber Sands: Golden Beaches

Simply under 2 hours from Brighton by car is Camber Sands. As the name recommends, it’s a five-mile stretch of golden coastline backed by financial institutions of wind-whipped marram yard under a wide-open skies.

Comply with the curve of the beach past Soho Home and you’ll hit Kemptown’s quieter stretch– a mix of pebbles, naturists and Brighton’s ideal sunrise spot. It’s long been recognized for its “garments optional” condition (Brighton’s a lot of easily accessible nudist coastline), however it’s likewise where the city’s new coastline society is prospering. Sea Lanes, the UK’s initial National Open Water Swimming Centre, opened up right here in 2023: a 50m al fresco swimming pool flanked by yoga workshops, health and fitness hubs and a Bison Beer taproom pouring regional mixtures till dusk. Simply behind it, you’ll locate The Checking out Space, a pocket-sized beach-facing bookshop equipped with sea-glossed fiction, art zines and staff recs for lazy mid-days. To the west, Beach Box Medical spa remains to promote the sweat-and-plunge routine, with wood-fired saunas and a salty sea cooldown. It’s a stretch that leans right into Brighton’s finest bits: a little decadent, a little health-minded– with room to lay your towel and be precisely who you are.

To the east, the Undercliff Walk links Brighton Marina with Saltdean, a cliff-backed cycle course that threads past quiet beaches and concealed swimming places. Head west and you’ll hit Hove, with its coastline huts, watersports and correct family members feel. Go also further and you’ll discover Sussex sand dunes, fossil-strewn coves and gentle tile bays backed by chalk high cliffs and persuading lawns.

An hour-and-a-half drive west of Brighton, West Wittering is well worth the additional mileage for its substantial expanse of sandy seafront. Car parking costs will certainly set you back the most effective part of a tenner, however that secures you a front-row area at one of the most postcard-worthy beaches on the South Shore. Pitch a camping tent at St James’ Farm or upgrade to one of its guards’ huts. There’s wind and waves, so beach umbrellas are even more of a threat than an assistance below– but the water produces great bodyboarding, plus there’s a lifeguard from mid-May to mid-September for those distressed regarding allowing kids loose.

West Wittering: Sandy Frontage

You’ll spot fishermen on the shore, oyster catchers above and residents getting crab rolls– they’re a real hit. There’s no train terminal, which keeps Selsey from obtaining swamped (though you can get the bus from Chichester) and the skies below really feel a bit bigger for it.

Twist west along the boardwalk, past Hove Lawns filled with dog walkers and yoga sessions bending to JBL audio speakers, and you’ll find on your own on West Hove Coastline. It’s a little bit quieter right here, because deeply rewarding “why really did not we come here previously?” kind of way. Marrocco’s serves the very best hazelnut gelato in the area, Rockwater’s roof hums with sunset candidates and Hove Shallows has kayaks, wakeboards and giddy kids collapsing into each other. It’s a sweet area for group hangs, strolls or solo mid-day loafing. Every little thing we enjoy about Brighton, simply called down a couple of notches.

Hove: Dog Walkers & Gelato

Walk to Dash Factor, hang a left along the beach and you’ll obtain to a synthetic seawall, behind which is a little, private cove for personal privacy and peace, or make use of the colourful beach huts on Bönningstedt Boardwalk (named after Seaford’s twin community) as your compass. Close By, Divine Cow beach shack serves the ideal ice lotion in community (we go for seasonal specials like pear and ricotta or blood-orange sorbet).

Clothes is optional at this naturist coastline between Hastings and Rye, so the sights can be eyebrow-raising and simultaneously breathtaking. Sandy patches are intermixed with remarkable rocks– look out for clawed dinosaur impacts and fossils in the rocks (however practise honest beachcombing by complying with the Marine Preservation Society’s guidance to ‘leave only impacts and take only images’). It’s not one of the most obtainable beauty spot, however it’s worth the trip through the rocky forest; make sure on the last leg of the climb, where steps have actually been cut into the cliffside by locals.

From the slide carousel to the scorched bones of the West Pier, Brighton’s beach is our play area. Cycle 20 mins from main Brighton via the Undercliff Walk, past the Sea Lanes and Soho Residence, and you’ll hit Saltdean– a beach that sits in its own time warp: a mild roof shingles cove flanked by towering chalk high cliffs, backdropped by white bungalows and swaying tamarisk. Stroll to Splash Point, hang a left along the beach and you’ll obtain to a synthetic seawall, behind which is a little, secluded cove for personal privacy and tranquility, or utilize the vibrant coastline huts on Bönningstedt Promenade (called after Seaford’s twin town) as your compass. Comply with the curve of the coastline past Soho Home and you’ll hit Kemptown’s quieter stretch– a mix of stones, naturists and Brighton’s finest sunup area. It’s long been known for its “apparel optional” status (Brighton’s many obtainable nudist coastline), yet it’s likewise where the city’s new coastline culture is growing.

Lancing: Watersports & Sunset Dinners

A beautiful pitstop along the South Shore Cycle Course, which begins at Southampton and ends in Dover (or the other means round), Lancing brings in swimmers, surfers and families alike with its pastel coastline huts and off-season swell. The carefully shelving beach creates ideal kitesurfing problems and vibrant crescents of ripstop often swoop expenses. Perch dining establishment has the best tables in the area for sunset dinners– drink on the residence gin and order stone-baked pizza from the shack outside.