With summer approaching, students across the UK, including many international students new to life here, are preparing for a well-earned break from lectures and city life. It is the perfect chance to explore beyond campus and discover the UK’s coastline. But with so many beaches to choose from, which makes for the ultimate day trip?
To find out, student accommodation provider Chapter, operated by Greystar, analysed some of the UK’s most popular coastal destinations to identify the ultimate beach day trips for students. The rankings were based on beach ratings, average summer temperatures, water quality scores, train travel times from London, and ticket prices.
Whitstable Tankerton Beach crowned the UK’s best beach for a day trip
Whitstable’s Tankerton Beach stands out as the top beach day trip from London. Just under two hours from the capital (around 1 hour 56 minutes), it has excellent water quality and enjoyable summer conditions, with average temperatures of 17°C and peaks exceeding 20°C during the height of the season.
The UK’s top 10 best beaches to visit from London:
| Rank | Beach Name | Beach rating/5 | Average Temp (June – August) | Water quality | Average train time | Average ticket cost(outbound and inbound) |
| 1 | Whitstable Tankerton Beach | 4.4 | 17.0 | Excellent | 1hr 57m | £24.50 |
| 2 | Southend-on-Sea Beach | 4.4 | 17.0 | Good | 1hr 35m | £28.60 |
| 3 | Whitstable Beach | 4.5 | 17.0 | Good | 1hr 57m | £24.50 |
| 4 | Herne Bay Beach | 4.2 | 17.0 | Excellent | 2hr 4m | £44.50 |
| 5 | Joss Bay | 4.4 | 16.7 | Excellent | 2hr 16m | £36.40 |
| 6 | Ramsgate Main Sands | 4.2 | 16.7 | Excellent | 1hr 53m | £44.70 |
| 7 | Brighton Beach | 4.1 | 16.3 | Good | 1hr 7m | £36.20 |
| 8 | Botany Bay | 4.2 | 16.7 | Excellent | 2hr 16m | £36.40 |
| 9 | Hove Beach | 4.7 | 16.3 | Excellent | 1hr 19m | £74.10 |
| 10 | Camber Sands | 4.3 | 16.7 | Good | 1hr 57m | £37.50 |
Ranked second, Southend-on-Sea Beach earns a solid 4/5 rating and enjoys average summer temperatures of 17°C, on par with Whitstable’s Tankerton Beach. Its water quality is rated “good,” adding to its appeal. What truly sets Southend apart, however, is its accessibility, with an average journey time of just 95 minutes and a return fare of around £28.60. This makes it one of the most convenient and budget-friendly seaside escapes from London.
Whitstable Beach ranks third overall, close behind the top two destinations. It stands out with a 4.5/5 beach rating, the highest among the top three, and enjoys consistent summer temperatures of around 17°C. Water quality is rated “good,” reinforcing its appeal. Travel times are slightly longer at an average of 117 minutes each way, though return fares of around £24.50 keep it competitively priced. While it scores just below Tankerton and Southend overall, it remains a well-rounded and highly appealing beach day trip from London.
Whitstable Tankerton Beach and Whitstable Beach are jointly ranked as the cheapest beach day trips from London
Both coastlines offer the lowest average ticket, with a return costing just £24.50. Located in Whitstable, these two destinations provide excellent value for money while still delivering strong beach quality and reliable summer conditions.
| Rank | Beach Name | Average ticket cost(outbound and inbound( |
| 1 | Whitstable Tankerton Beach | £24.50 |
| 1 | Whitstable Beach | £24.50 |
| 3 | Southend-on-Sea Beach | £28.60 |
| 4 | Bournemouth Beach | £30.80 |
| 5 | Brighton Beach | £36.20 |
| 5 | Rottingdean Beach | £36.20 |
| 7 | Joss Bay | £36.40 |
| 7 | Botany Bay | £36.40 |
| 9 | Broadstairs Viking Bay | £36.40 |
| 10 | Camber Sands | £37.50 |
Southend-on-Sea Beach ranks as the second cheapest beach day trip from London, with an average ticket with return cosing around £28.60.
Bournemouth Beach comes in third place, with an average return ticket costing £30.80. Although slightly more expensive than Southend-on-Sea and Whitstable Tankerton Beach, it still remains a relatively affordable beach trip from London, especially considering its longer-distance coastal location.
Herman Barros, Operations Director at Greystar, says:
“Opting for student accommodation in London is a great decision for those wanting the best of both worlds. Not only do you have doorstep access to the bustling capital, but you can also explore some of the UK’s best coastal destinations thanks to fast, direct rail routes across Kent, Sussex, and beyond. Residents can leave the city in the morning and be sunbathing on the beach within an hour or two.
Our accommodation is always designed with connectivity in mind. For example, Chapter London Bridge is on the doorstep of London Bridge station, giving students quick access to rail links that make it easy to reach coastal destinations such as Southend-on-Sea. This allows for simple, affordable day trips to the coast.
We also offer flexible summer stays for students, whether they want to extend their time in London or arrive a little earlier ahead of the academic year, so they can make the most of their experience in the city.”
Photo by Asif Shaikh: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scenic-waterfront-view-in-whitstable-england-31731411/
