Some of our favourite beaches in Kent and East Sussex for families!
I asked over 50 My Tunbridge Wells readers to tell me about the best beaches in Kent and East Sussex for families.
From sandy beaches in East Sussex to pebbly beaches on the Kent coast there are lots of options to choose from within an hour or two of Tunbridge Wells. If you want to go to one of the best beaches in South East England then try going either really early in the morning (breakfast on the beach?) or much later in the day (from 3.30pm onwards). Of course, Camber Sands is regularly named one of the best beaches in the UK, but we’ve included loads more beaches in the area too.
Hopefully this blog post will provide us all with some inspiration for the best of Kent and East Sussex beaches.
♥ Bexhill, East Sussex
We have been to Bexhill a few times recently. The boys took their bikes and cycled along the promenade and running around the beach and is a nice option across the year. One of the My Tunbridge Wells readers said ‘it has a great seafront for riding bikes, cheap parking, water fountains to play in, great ice creams along with the De La Warr Pavilion for lunch or a fab little cafe!!’ Well I’m sold 🙂
Egerton Park and Playground is fantastic and just a few minutes walk from the preomenade. The playground itself is great and there’s a cafe selling ice creams, decent coffee, homemade cakes and more. There’s also sports facilities and a pond with ducks. Plenty to do!
Another parent said ‘I’m in love with the place! Child and dog friendly, long beach and hundreds of things to do.’ If you haven’t been to Bexhill yet, it sounds like it could be a lovely day out this summer.
Description: Bexhill Beach is generally stoney but there are some sandy bits towards one end (towards Galley Hill).
♥ Brighton Beach, East Sussex
We like Brighton as a whole package, not just for visiting the beach but I couldn’t not include it in here! There’s so much to do there, from amusements at the pier, visiting the Sea Life Centre or the British Airways i360 to cycling along the promenade, visiting some of the quirky beach shops and wandering down the lanes. The downside is that parking can be pricey and it can get verrrry busy indeed.
Description: Brighton Beach is pebbly!
♥ Botany Bay, Kent
Just past Margate, if you keep going, is Botany Bay – it has an amazing end-of-the-world feeling to it, as it’s right at the very tip of the Thanet peninsular. It also has a fab, wide sandy beach. Although the draw back in the climb down to the beach – pack light for this beach trip!
Description: Botany Bay is a sandy beach
♥ Broadstairs (Viking Bay), Kent
The town of Broadstairs really takes me back in time – it feel like a really traditional seaside resort. There are several areas of beautiful beach around Broadstairs, with the central one being ‘Viking Bay.’ There are quite a few shops and cafes at Viking Bay, along with Punch and Judy shows and donkey rides in the summer. Visitors can pop into the Dickens House Museum which is on the seafront too. Don’t forget to go to Morelli’s for ice creams!
Description: Viking Bay is a sandy beach
♥ Camber Sands, East Sussex
One of the most beautiful and best beaches in Kent and East Sussex for families is Camber Sands, a super stretch of beach that seems to go on for miles and miles. But be careful!!! Visitors to Camber Sands are being charged flat fee of £30 to use a council-run car park – Camber Sands Central car park – which we think is outrageous! Hourly parking will still be available at Camber Sands Western car park, although it is increasing to £4 an hour, and £20 for six hours or more.
It’s all about the beach at Camber with steep sand dunes. The first time we went there, I was six months pregnant and felt fairly unfit clambering over the sand dunes. It was completely worth it though! There are several shops and a cafe, along with pretty decent public loos. And of course you are near to the fabulous town of Rye which is a great place to visit too.
Another Tunbridge Wells parent said it is also great in winter when you can have a picnic in the dunes. It has been described as a natural beauty too.
The first car park you come to will involve you traversing the dunes to get to the beach, but it’s a bigger car park and this end of the beach is more scenic perhaps. You can also park at the end of the road in the car park there – no dunes to climb here, and a cafe and a few shops, but this car park gets full very quickly.
Description: Cambers Sands is a sandy beach.
♥ Dymchurch, Kent
Dymchurch is a lovely seaside resort with a long sandy beach and lots to do for the little ones. We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in the UK and in particular in the South East. There are several cafes and a little funfair in addition to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
On our recent visit, we used the carpark on the right just as you enter Dymchurch from the Camber end. This was a good location for little legs! The funfair is a must-visit with a pirate boat carousel, helter skelter, dodgems and quite a few other attractions. One Mum recommended parking up at St Mary’s Bay on the way into Dymchurch which is less busy than the stretch of beach close to the town.
Description: The beach at Dymchurch is mainly sandy
More of the our favourite beaches in South East England – Kent and East Sussex…
♥ Eastbourne & Holywell Beach, East Sussex
I feel like there are soooooo many things to do in Eastbourne. Whether you fancy wandering down the pier, splashing around in Fort Fun, playing mini-golf in Treasure Island, going on the tourist train or enjoying the beach at nearby Holywell, there is loads to do there!
Ninja Warrior in Eastbourne is meant to be fantastic too. We haven’t been to it but it is getting rave reviews and it certainly sounds like something different to do if you have older kids!
Description: Eastbourne and Holywell Beach are generally shingle beaches with a few sandy parts interspersed here and there.
♥ Greatstone Beach, Kent
Kent’s Greatsone Beach in New Romney is one of my new favourites. It’s like a quieter version of Camber with miles of soft white sand. There’s smallish carpark with toilets and the walk over the sand dunes to the beach is simple. There’s a fish and chip shop opposite the carpark and a Londis shop too. When the tide is out, it does require quite a long walk out to reach the water, but sure that’s all part of the fun? Wearing supportive Birkenstock sandals can make those strolls across the sand much more comfortable for the whole family.
Description: The beach at Greatstone is mainly sandy
♥ Hastings, East Sussex
There is SO much to do at Hastings. Yes the beach is stoney and not exactly pure white sand, but for a family day out, it’s super.
I will write a longer post about it but things we like about Hastings include the obligatory stone throwing into the sea, walking down the beautiful pier (which was re-opened last year), going on the miniature railway, visiting the Fisherman’s Museums, Shipwreck Museum and RNLI LifeBoat Centre (all FREE), getting ice-cream and/or fish and chips and eating them on the beach and much much more!
Description: Hastings beach is mainly shingle
♥ Isle of Sheppey, Kent
One reader tipped us off about the Isle of Sheppey, which they say is a hidden gem. While not one of the better-known beaches, it has blue-flag status and a seaside award in 2022.
There are actually three beaches on the Isle of Sheppey: Sheerness, Minster Leas and Leysdown. Sheerness is a bit quieter, and is a mix of sand and shingle. There’s a wide promenade here that’s perfect for bike rides or scooting. Minster Leas is also sand and shingle, and the promenade has a few free exercise equipment if you want to get a workout in. Leysdown has more of your British seaside splendor: arcades and shops!
Description: Sheerness is a shingle beach with patches of sand; Minster Leas is a sand-and-shingle beach and Leysdown is a sandy beach.
♥ Joss Bay, Kent
Joss Bay, which is close to Viking Bay, has been recommended several times to me as a super family beach to visit. The popular Joss Bay Surf School is the perfect place to learn how to ride the waves, if that’s your kind of thing. Or you could just sit back and relax while watching the children do it 🙂
Description: Joss Bay is a sandy beach.
♥ Margate Beach, Kent
We absolutely love a day out at Margate. There’s something for everyone, from the huge sandy beach and tidal pool to the Tate and the quaint old town. There’s also Dreamland amusement park, which is probably the best seaside attraction around here. No trip to Margate is complete without a trip to Ramsay & Williams’ ice cream shop. Yum!
Description: Margate is a sandy beach
♥ Minnis Bay, Kent
Another Blue-Flag beach, Minnis Bay is a beautiful family-friendly beach. There’s loads going on with sailing, windsurfing, paddling, kayaking and beach games. There’s also a paddling pool for young kids and a lifeguard service. There’s also a kiosk and cafe, and plenty of parking.
Description: Minnis Bay is a sandy beach.
♥ Pevensey Bay Beach, East Sussex
Although we love going to Bexhill, especially for its promenade, Pevensey Bay Beach is a great alternative too. It’s a lovely little town with a pebble beach. There’s isn’t a promenade for this one so best to go to Bexhill if you have a buggy or bikes. I’m told there is a great fish and chip shop opposite Pevensey Beach. Norman’s Bay is also worth a look at too…
Description: Pevensey Bay is a shingle beach.
More of the best beaches in Kent and East Sussex…
♥ Saltdean Beach, East Sussex
Saltdean Beach in East Sussex is a new on on my radar, though it sounds like lots of people have been enjoying it for years. It’s apparently lovely and quiet with plenty of space. Parking is apprently free along Saltdean Park Road. Enjoy the large promenade with the beautiful white cliffs as a backdrop. Saltdean Lido is worth a visit too..
Description: Saltdean is a shingle beach.
♥ Sandgate Beach, Kent
A quiet and peaceful shingle beach located a couple of miles from Folkestone in the village of Sandgate. There are plenty of cafes nearby and it’s possible to walk into Folkestone along a concrete path. Good for bikes, dog walkers and joggers! Apparently the village has old fashioned charm…
Description: Despite its name, Sandgate Beach is pebbly.
♥ Seaford Beach, East Sussex
Seaford is another good option for avoiding the crowds and parking is free! Situated between Newhaven harbour and Seaford Head in East Sussex, this beach is all pebble so no sandcastle building here. There’s a cycle path which runs along the back of the beach and a few good nearby cafes.
Description: Seaford is a pebbly beach.
♥ Whitstable, Kent
The seaside town of Whitstable has also been described as stepping back in time – I think we are seeing a pattern here? With its pretty little beach huts and gorgeous views, this is a fantastic place to visit.
Apparently it doesn’t get as busy as other seaside towns which sounds good to me! The sand isn’t quite as nice as some of the other beaches mentioned. Overall it’s a lovely seaside town to visit with lots of quirky and independent shops. If you fancy somewhere quieter, you could also visit nearby Tankerton which I’m told is a lovely place.
Description: Whitstable is a pebbly beach.
♥ Winchelsea, East Sussex
Around 10 miles East of Hastings, Winchelsea has been recommended to me several times as a quieter beach option. It’s a beautiful drive to get to this pebble beach from Tunbridge Wells. When the tide goes out there’s a really lovely sandy area and shallow water for the kids to play in too.
Description: Winchelsea is a shingle beach.
Are there any other places we should consider as the best beaches in Kent and East Sussex? for families? We are always looking for new places to explore! If you’re looking for even more amazing, but slightly less popular beaches, check out this World’s Best Secret Beaches study.
Before enjoying the beautiful beaches of Kent and East Sussex with your family, it’s crucial to be mindful of sun exposure. Prolonged exposure can lead to harmful effects on you and your child’s delicate skin. Ensure you’re well-prepared by checking out Fresh Monster, offering effective protection against the sun, allowing your family to enjoy these beautiful beaches.