Less than two hours from London is a town brimming with independent shops, trendy coffee houses, vibrant beach cafés and a sprawling beach that doesn’t get overcrowded
A seaside resort town offers a quintessential day out, with its unspoilt beach and streets lined with independent shops.
With the UK basking in balmy temperatures this week, and London reaching a blistering 36C, a trip to the beach might just be in order. After all, there’s no better way to cool down in the heat than a dip in the lapping waves, a slight sea air freeze (if we’re lucky), before a gentle wander around a charming town with a flurry of independent shops when we want to escape the heat, or stop by a trendy coffee house for an iced latte.
The town of St Leonards-on-Sea, affectionately known as Lennies by locals, is brimming with charm and has everything you need for a day out at the British seaside. It’s also conveniently located less than two hours from London, with a direct train route that takes you to West St Leonards, followed by a short walk to its stretches of golden beaches.
One of the town’s biggest appeals is perhaps the prospect of its crowd-free and quieter beaches, a far cry from the sea of umbrellas you’ll often find in bigger seaside towns during the sweltering heat. While its shore, Marina Beach, is predominantly shingle, when the tide is out, large expanses of sand and shallow waters are exposed – perfect for when it comes to that dip!
One visitor shared on Google Reviews: “A beautiful seaside with cafes, beach delights, and perfect for family BBQs. Pebble beaches, flip flops or swimming shoes needed. Low tides offer rock and sand exploration. Enjoyable for the whole family with sun, sea, and scrumptious treats. Unforgettable seaside getaway.”
A second simply commented: “Lovely to walk along an ever changing coast line. Some stunning waves, sunrises, and sunsets to be seen.” While a third noted: “St. Leonards-on-Sea Beach is a peaceful and charming seaside spot that beautifully combines pebble and sandy areas along the shore.”
The little ones can spend time collecting shells or building sandcastles during low tide, and safely paddle amongst its shallow waters or explore nearby rock pools. The beach is backed by the promenade lined with beautiful Victorian buildings, offering a laid-back beach experience and a quintessential day at the British seaside.
Near the shore, there are trendy coffee shops, such as Good Bean Mad Coffee and Botanica Coffee Bar & Eatery. The Goat Ledge, situated along the promenade, is a standout café in St Leonards-on-Sea, serving up cocktails and tasty dishes like crab fries from its colourful beach hut, with pretty painted beaches and vibrant deck chairs so customers can dine al fresco.
Aside from its unspoilt beach, the town of St Leonards-on-Sea is well worth exploring, with its Regency and Art Deco facades. Alongside its relaxed atmosphere, there are more chic coffee shops like Fika@44 and various established eateries, such as Farmyard, serving up small plates, as well as its independent seafood restaurant, St Clement’s.
The town is known for its independent scene and quirky stores, with Norman Road lined with boutiques offering everything from fashion to handmade gifts. Elsewhere on King’s Road is where the town’s thriving antique scene can be found, with stores packed with collectables, vintage furniture and hidden treasures.
The town also has its Seaside Flea Markets and Farmers’ Markets, while there are also galleries, bakeries, bars, pubs and music venues. So you won’t be short of places to go, eat or see, at this seaside town less than two hours from London.
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