Tankerton Beach in Whitstable has been named the best-value beach day trip from London, according to a new ranking by student accommodation provider Chapter. The beach, less than two hours by train from the capital, offers cheap return tickets at £24.50, excellent water quality, and mild summer temperatures around 17°C.
Top ranking criteria
Chapter's list considered travel time from London, beach rating, water quality, average summer temperatures, and train ticket cost. Tankerton Beach came out on top, praised for its affordability and accessibility. The journey from London takes 1 hour 57 minutes, making it a convenient escape from the city heatwave that has pushed temperatures towards 40°C.
Beach features and activities
Tankerton Beach is a predominantly shingle beach backed by the famous Tankerton Slopes, a wide expanse of green lawns that gently rise above the shoreline, making it one of the most popular picnic spots in Whitstable. The old-fashioned beach features wooden groynes and pretty multi-coloured beach huts, backed by a promenade and gentle grassy slopes ideal for children. It offers a quieter, more spacious alternative to Whitstable's main beach while still delivering excellent sea views.
At low tide, visitors can walk out to sea on a natural causeway known as The Street, one of the most photographed spots on the north Kent coast. The calm seas are popular for swimming, canoeing, and paddleboarding. The path behind the beach is a popular walking and cycling route that extends to Herne Bay and beyond.
Practical information
Visitors can enjoy free on-street parking at the top of Tankerton Slopes, with nearby pay-and-display options. Dogs are banned from the beach between May and September but are welcome on the promenade on a lead. For those preferring a London option, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf opened last week as the capital's first natural water pool, featuring six 50-metre lanes, saunas powered by 100% renewable energy, and a clubhouse.
Top 10 beaches close to London
- Tankerton Beach, Whitstable: 1h57m, £24.50
- Southend-on-Sea Beach: 1h35m, £28.60
- Whitstable Beach: 1h57m, £24.50
- Herne Bay Beach: 2h04m, £44.50
- Joss Bay, Broadstairs: 2h16m, £36.40
- Ramsgate Main Sands: 1h53m, £44.70
- Brighton Beach: 1h07m, £36.20
- Botany Bay, Broadstairs: 2h16m, £36.40
- Hove Beach: 1h19m, £74.10
- Camber Sands: 1h57m, £37.50
