Family Beach

Thinking of taking the sprogs to the seaside this weekend. Any suggestions as to one near London that would be suitable for 3 young girls.

 

Camber sands in Kent is nice

 

Can't go wrong wiv Sarfend! Well, you can, but it's probably the nearest!
Otherwise Margate, Eastbourne, Brighton or a variety of other beaches in Kent and Sussex.

 

I'm not sure how family friendly Margate might be regarded lol. Herne Bay, Whitstable etc might be better and cuts a fair chunk off the fuel/pedal power.

 

the south bank when the tide's out?

 

Another vote for Camber Sands.

Bit of a drive but it's worth it. Not as commercialised as other beaches and the sand dunes are heaps of fun for the kids.

 

The Isle of Sheppey is near and very popular, but I would avoid it. Too near the Thames estuary and I can't imagine the water is that clean. Further down is Whistable, but you have to check the tides, as when they are out, you have a long walk out to the sea across the mud flats, and I doubt if it is safe anyway.
The Thanet end has the advantage of sand instead of shingle, but I would vote for Camber as well, as it doesn't get so crowded. Or at least is didn't used to - it's several years since I visited it! Another advantage is that you can drive across to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.

 

Depends on what you are after...personally I don't like Sowfend...too kiss me quick and grubby imho...also the tide can come right up to the sea wall in places leaving you to enjoy the delights deckchairs on the prom...hmm..

the amusements are a bloody rip off, I mean really expensive. If you do head out that way I'd turn left at sowf end and head out to a beach further out of town.

I remember going to the Witterings and Frinton as a kid.. they were sandy and better beaches I recall.

 

Actually the beaches off Kent and Essex are probably cleaner than most popular European ones.

My vote for a quiet beach which you can reach by car within an hour of London would go to Broadstairs in Kent. Assuming nothing much has changed in the last ten years, the beach is reached by steps/stairs (it's at the bottom of a cliff, hence the name) has golden sands, rock pools, great surf and little nooks and crannies to explore. No amusements. Little seaside shop. Ice cream vendors, that's it.It's a nice quiet family beach with one/two local pubs withing walking distance for lunch or a drink and lots of green grass at the top of the cliff (fenced off) for a picnic and to play ball games. Jumpers for goal posts. Marvellous.

Otherwise, Clacton, Walton on the Naze (nice pier) and Frinton (quieter) if you fancy a slightly longer journey.

 

You mention "family beach." When my children were small we went for a holiday at Quimper in France and went to a beach at Trunvels. There was car park and the beach to the left was a family beach and the beach to the right was a gay beach where much of the activity was unrestrained. The French families ignored it totally.

 

Broadstairs it NOT quiet in the middle of summer. It is quieter than other places. Morelli's ice cream parlour . I do recommend it very much though. Unfortunately in terms of family things Bleak House got bought up so you can't visit it anymore.

 

Highly recommend Walton-on-the-Naze if you want a nice sandy beach! However there isn't a great deal else there.

 

This is a view of broadstairs from the south taken last summer.

 

Camber sands would be my choice.
its huge and most of the other beaches mentioned get a bit busy.

 

I defer to Marinyork for more recent views on Broadstairs. I spent many a happy summers day in childhood at Broadstairs whilst caravanning at Seasalter (which has a stone beach).