With stretches of golden sand, dog-friendly promenades or more secluded bays away from the hustle and bustle, the beaches in Sussex offer something for everyone. From the kite-surfing hotspot of Rustington Beach to the traditional seaside charm of Bognor Regis, you’re spoilt for choice!
Brighton Beach, Brighton
Voted one of the Top 10 city beach break destinations globally, Brighton & its beachfront are legendary. A highly active beach, here you can try all the watersports, go for a swim, paddle or simply pull up a deck chair and relax! It’s not just about the water though, as the beachfront promenade is a destination in itself. The iconic Brighton Palace Pier with its helter-skelter and arcade games is British seaside charm in all its glory. And around here, you’ll find the Artists’ Quarter, with plenty of bars and restaurants serving everything from ice cream to high-end seafood and independent traders selling fashion, furniture, and photography. For the kids, there’s Sea Life Brighton, home to giant turtles, sharks, and seahorses and to the east of the Pier, there’s the historic Volks Railway – Britain’s oldest electric railway built in 1883. And suppose that isn’t enough for you, there’s always the free Fishing Museum, tracing the city’s origins as a sleepy fishing village. A bit further along, you’ll find British Airways i360 – the world’s tallest moving observation tower where you glide 450 feet into the air to see unparalleled views. After dark, Brighton Beach comes alive with seafront clubs and bars nestling underneath the Victorian beachfront arches. And if you fancy stepping away from the beachfront for a bit, why not soak up the cosmopolitan vibe along Brighton’s famous Lanes, where you’ll find quirky independent boutiques, hipster-style cafes and more.
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Camber Sands, Camber, near Rye
Camber Sands, the neighbouring village of Camber and the surrounding area have much to offer for all ages, from thrilling watersports and sandcastle building to history and wildlife. And unlike most beaches along the Sussex coast, which are full of pebbles and shingles, Camber Sands is covered in fine, golden sand, and it’s also home to one of the purest and longest dune systems on the South Coast and the only to be found in East Sussex. The beach stretches on for almost 5 miles, with the most popular section being the western end, by the mouth of the River Rother. Due to its size and natural beauty, Camber Sands has also been a filming location for numerous films and TV programmes. Despite its fantastic natural assets, Camber Sands remains largely unspoilt. Most of the year, there is a good chance of finding some solitude here. Even in the height of summer, the crowds are bearable even though it is within 2 hours of London.
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West Wittering
The white-sands beach at West Wittering in West Sussex is popular with watersports enthusiasts, particularly windsurfers. This isn’t one of your big, commercialised tourist spots, so it’s ideal if you prefer your family holidays a bit quieter. Lined with pretty little beach huts, the natural sandy shoreline is just the setting for picnics and wildlife spotting. What’s more, you can bring the family dog too. There’s a parking lot for car travellers, but you pay for the day so it’s worth making the most of it. Rent a paddleboard, slather on the sunscreen and indulge in a soft ice cream or two. The nearby village is a peaceful place to visit, with waterside pubs and restaurants for a chilled out evening.
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Eastbourne Beach, Eastbourne
Eastbourne boasts over three miles of beaches and rock pooling opportunities for the kids at low tide. From breathtaking cliffs and a Marine Conservation Area at Holywell to windsurfing off Royal Parade and fishing at Harbour Reach, this collection of beaches offers the ideal spot to suit everyone. The Wish Tower to Pier Main Resort beach has lifeguards, first aid, a kids wristband scheme and swimming-only zones. A variety of cafes, toilets, showers, deckchairs, sun loungers and beach huts are also available to hire. There are plenty of other traditional features, including a bandstand, which preserves this slice of the classic British seaside town. On the seafront, you will also find the famous Floral Carpet Gardens. It is a classic south coast beach with pebbles and shingles divided by wooden groynes. One of the beaches, and indeed the town’s most prominent features, is the 1,000ft (300m) long pier. Opened in 1870, this is a grand pier with an impressive pavilion at the seaward end.
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Bognor Regis Beach, Bognor Regis
While some would say Bognor’s finest days as a resort are behind, they may be doing this seaside town a disservice. The council has made an effort to keep things fresh and fun with initiatives such as the “Flex on the Beach Fitness Trail” and the “Beach on the Beach” – a massive enclosed sandpit for kids right next to the promenade. With several beaches along its coastline to enjoy, East Beach and West Beach are the closest to the town centre and provide several concession stands that serve ice creams, hot and cold snacks, and tea and coffee, so refreshments are close by. A quintessentially British beach, Bognor is definitely worth a visit!
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Hastings Beach, Hastings
Hastings Beach is a scenic mix of sand, shingle and soaring cliffs. The main beach is merely steps away from this established seaside resort town, so you are very close to the town’s facilities and attractions. Backed by grand whitewashed Edwardian hotels and a two-layered promenade, Hastings has all the credentials of a Great British seaside town, and there is even a traditional Victorian pier. However, if sea bathing is what you’re after, look no further than the seaside award-winning Pelham beach alongside it, which offers lifeguard cover between May and September. Specially catered to families, it has colourful character designated areas to help children (and parents) identify specific areas of the beach. With a myriad of cafes, restaurants and attractions, Hastings beach and seafront are fun for the whole family!”
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Worthing Beach, Worthing
Worthing’s seafront is based on its Historic Pier, which opened on 12 April 1862 and has five miles of a vibrant palm-tree-lined promenade, including an exciting splash point and Lido, making for a super fun day at the beach. The gently sloping beach at Worthing is sand and shingle, with most of the sandier parts being covered as the tide moves in. This means the low tide is a great time to visit with kids as there are also some rock pools uncovered. Although there is no lifeguard service, many fun activities can be enjoyed on the beach, including fishing, windsurfing, and swimming. It is a delightful seaside town with various shops and cafes. There’s also the Dome cinema by the seafront, one of the oldest working cinemas in the UK and has been operating since 1911. The Worthing Festival is held during the last two weeks of July each year, and it includes a fairground along the town’s promenade. There is a café on the Pier, and the Pavilion Theatre sits at the end and is a Grade II Listed Building.
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East Beach, Littlehampton
This award-winning, family-friendly sand and pebble beach is over a mile long, making it the ideal location for seaside fun with the kids or much-needed downtime. Wander down the promenade, sit on Britain’s longest bench and admire the view. Or take the plunge and go for a refreshing swim in the sea. Our soft golden sand is perfect for sandcastles, and when the sea goes out, the kids can explore the tide pools for underwater creatures! East Beach is framed by large seafront greens, ideal for picnics, ball games and hosting various events. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer, and Kidcare wristbands are available to ensure safety and peace of mind while you enjoy your time here.
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