Today I want to share my favorite coastal walks near London with you. If you love the seaside, these routes are great to ramble to get a glimpse of some of the best waterfront scenery in southern England. From chalk cliffs to cathedral cities and beachfront towns, they’ll show you a variety of places you can see in a day. I’ve included detailed coastal walk routes, too.
Coastal Walks Near London
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to coastal walks near London. From the south coast in Sussex to the Isle of Thanet in Kent, they cover a range of places with unique topography and scenery.
Whether you’re looking for great beaches or natural harbors, walks with cities or rambles along the English Channel, this list has some of the best seaside walks near London.
These walks are all easy day trips from London by train, so you can do them using public transport. It’s better than driving, as the routes are all point-to-point.
You can find more walks in Time Out Country Walks: 52 Walks Near London, too. You can get it on Amazon here.
1. Folkestone to Dover Walk
The first of my coastal walks near London is down on the south coast in Kent. This 9.2-mile (14.8-kilometer) hike will take you from Folkestone to Dover.
The route clings to the shoreline and ascends the famous white cliffs for panoramic views across the English Channel.
This one is for you if you like being by the sea and enjoy walking along the water. It’s also a good one if you like historic streets, as Folkestone is full of lanes with pretty houses and shops. You can visit Dover Castle at the end if you want to, too.
There’s one steep hill you’ll need to climb in the middle of this walk, so it’s ideal if you like coastal hikes near London.
I was fortunate with the weather when I did this walk, and I recommend doing it on a sunny day if you can. That’s not least because you’ll be able to see France in the distance if it’s a clear day.
You can see the full route and photos for this one on my blog post about a Folkestone to Dover walk.
2. Southbourne to Chichester Coastal Walk
Next on my list of the best coastal walks near London is one that will take you from Southbourne to Chichester, one of the great cathedral cities in England.
This 11.5-mile (18.5-kilometer) route goes along the channels around the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It’s one of the best walks in West Sussex.
The path will guide you past waterfront scenery and pretty villages like Bosham. It also offers a reward at the end in the form of Chichester Cathedral.
This coastal walk is for you if you’re a fan of history, pretty villages, and the seaside. There’s a pub with a beer garden in the middle, so it’s an ideal one if you want to spend a leisurely day on the water.
The route is also flat, so it’s a good choice if you don’t like hills. You can find the details and photos for this one on my Chichester walk post.
3. Margate to Broadstairs and Ramsgate Coastal Walk
Third on my list of the best coastal walks near London is one from Margate to Ramsgate via Broadstairs. This walk on the Isle of Thanet in Kent will take you to some of the most famous seaside towns in southern England.
This 6.8-mile (11-kilometer) route follows part of the Thanet Coastal Path. It will take you past nine bays, including Margate Main Sands, the famous surfing spot at Joss Bay, the beach at Viking Bay in Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Main Sands.
The walk takes around 3.5 to 4 hours to complete, and it’s a great one if you love beaches, chalk cliffs, and seaside towns in equal measure.
You can find the full route detailed on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 150 (Canterbury and Isle of Thanet). You can get it on Amazon here.
If you want a longer walk, you can do the 32-mile (51.4-kilometer) Viking Coastal Trail, a circular route that goes past places like Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs, as well as inland areas on the Isle of Thanet.
Coastal Walks Near London
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these coastal walks near London. They’re great ways to see scenic parts of the English seaside and get some exercise while you’re at it.
I’ve published a lot of other walks and compiled them in my country walks near London blog post, too. It’s a helpful resource if you want to see all my walking routes and maps in one place.
If you want to challenge yourself with a long-distance coastal walk, you can do some of the England Coast Path. It’s a great way to see the seaside near London and beyond. Happy exploring!
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