Mapped: the best British seaside towns near London

Craving a bit of fresh air? Luckily, London is literally surrounded by fabulous seaside towns where you can go to clear your head and your lungs. 

As we enter summer, Time Out has just published its list of the best seaside towns to visit in the UK this year, with seven of them being within easy reach of the capital. The towns range from old-school resorts to quaint fishing villages and up-and-coming arty spots. Can’t decide which one to visit? Here we’ve mapped them all out for you.

The best seaside towns near London mapped

Sister towns Hastings and St Leonards came in second place in our annual ranking. We love the duo for their art galleries, restaurants and jam-packed calendar of local events which includes pagan festivals and the UK’s biggest Mardi Gras. The East Sussex town to the southeast of London is sandwiched between Brighton and Folkestone along England’s south coast. All three towns can be reached from the capital in under two hours by train. 

Slightly north from Folkestone you’ll find the glorious Whitstable, known for its oysters and shingle beaches, which ranked 14th on our list. This Kent town to London’s east can be reached in just over an hour on the train. 

If you’re looking to try something slightly further afield, and perhaps less obvious than the Sussex or Kent coast, to the southwest of London you’ll find Hampshire’s quaint Lymington (number 15) which is an entry point to the pony-filled New Forest, and Southsea (3), an old-school town with D-Day history and an indie streak. Travel further still you can reach the mediterranean-feeling Cowes (8) on the Isle of Wight, home to Cowes Week, one of the longest-running sailing regattas in the world.

🏖️ The UK’s best seaside towns to visit in 2026.

More travel inspo from London: This totally charming part of England is officially one of the best weekend trips from London.