Page 2 | How often to visit seaside?

helpmelosemybigbelly · 2026-04-29T08:38:59+00:00

I feel sad cos it feels like we only go seaside for a week in the school holidays when we go away, DH never wants to go at the weekends when we are at home and as I don’t drive, train tickets are expensive and we live pay check to pay check I just settle on going every day of the one week we are away (we have 2 young kids) is anyone else with young kids also in my situation?

Bjorkdidit · 29/04/2026 14:35

It's also reasonable to assume that if the OP is unable to afford the cost of train tickets, she's not going to be able to afford driving lessons, even if she didn't have epilepsy and the family has a car she's able to use.

Nuttycoffee · 29/04/2026 14:07

LordofMisrule1 · 29/04/2026 13:59

What do you mean by you don't drive? Won't, or can't? If can't, why? How come you've never learned?

Op has epilepsy.
And not everyone wants to learn to drive i dont drive because I've never want to.

Tableforjoan · 29/04/2026 14:06

LordofMisrule1 · 29/04/2026 13:59

What do you mean by you don't drive? Won't, or can't? If can't, why? How come you've never learned?

She said she has epilepsy.

Not that it’s really anyone’s business. I also can’t drive definitely safer for everyone else that I don’t, though fortunately dh does.

Tableforjoan · 29/04/2026 14:05

We tend to go for holidays.

I find day trips lacking and also the weather if it’s nice well the whole world is at the beach or it’s wet and windy, and expensive. Everyone then wants to go in an arcade, not a beach trip without donuts. Ah but you can’t go to the seaside and not get chips and so on 😅

So we book a couple of caravan breaks and make sure we we at least do a walk on the beach each day of those.

LordofMisrule1 · 29/04/2026 13:59

What do you mean by you don't drive? Won't, or can't? If can't, why? How come you've never learned?

newuser9090 · 29/04/2026 13:58

newornotnew · 29/04/2026 13:45

Can't imagine never planning coast trips! I love how varied people are.

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I grew up in a coastal town and can now see the sea from my upstairs windows. I probably didn’t visit the beach for 30 years, and would still avoid it if I could.

Nuttycoffee · 29/04/2026 13:57

I love going to the ⛱️ beach.

newornotnew · 29/04/2026 13:45

MyDuvetDay · 29/04/2026 13:23

It’s never really occurred to me to plan a trip to the seaside. I always assume it will be too cold/windy/pebbly - or alternatively too busy. I might be missing something but am very happy exploring inland destinations! That said if someone took me to the Med I wouldn’t object

Can't imagine never planning coast trips! I love how varied people are.

shellyleppard · 29/04/2026 13:42

Friends and family Railcard cost £30 for a year. Gives you 15 per cent discount on train fares. Children under 5 go free. Its been a while since I brought a family Railcard though so might be worth checking the price/discount

bridgetreilly · 29/04/2026 13:41

If you go for a week in the summer, it makes it special and exciting. I wouldn’t particularly feel any need to go regularly.

BlueSkiesAndSunshiiine · 29/04/2026 13:39

Itsanewdawnitsanewdayitsanewlife4me · 29/04/2026 13:38

Really? Wow. Now yes I live by the sea but the sea air is fantastic for mental health and the feel of sand on my feet is a pleasure every single time I do it. It can be cold and breezy like anywhere but honestly something so grounding about being on a beach. I couldnt live anywhere else as I need my vitamin sea lol

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I agree! I absolutely love the seaside, even in winter there's something magical about the sun setting on the waves.

Itsanewdawnitsanewdayitsanewlife4me · 29/04/2026 13:38

MyDuvetDay · 29/04/2026 13:23

It’s never really occurred to me to plan a trip to the seaside. I always assume it will be too cold/windy/pebbly - or alternatively too busy. I might be missing something but am very happy exploring inland destinations! That said if someone took me to the Med I wouldn’t object

Really? Wow. Now yes I live by the sea but the sea air is fantastic for mental health and the feel of sand on my feet is a pleasure every single time I do it. It can be cold and breezy like anywhere but honestly something so grounding about being on a beach. I couldnt live anywhere else as I need my vitamin sea lol

BlueSkiesAndSunshiiine · 29/04/2026 13:35

What part of London do you live in? South London, Southeastern have train services to lovely Kent beaches- Hastings, Margate etc.

ArtAngel · 29/04/2026 13:28

FlixBus London to Folkestone

MyDuvetDay · 29/04/2026 13:23

It’s never really occurred to me to plan a trip to the seaside. I always assume it will be too cold/windy/pebbly - or alternatively too busy. I might be missing something but am very happy exploring inland destinations! That said if someone took me to the Med I wouldn’t object

ArtAngel · 29/04/2026 13:23

helpmelosemybigbelly · 29/04/2026 12:58

I’m in London

FlixBus and National Express both do cheap coach trips to Brighton.

Also National Express to Whitstable,

Original poster

helpmelosemybigbelly · 29/04/2026 13:17

I have epilepsy so not allowed to drive

OP posts:

hahabahbag · 29/04/2026 13:15

I grew up in London and went several times a year to the south coast, took sandwiches, a flask of tea and squash (meals out were rare back then) and we loved it as kids. My own children didn’t go often as we lived too far to day trip, about as far as you can get in the U.K. from a beach, but their grandparents lived near to the coast so some years we stayed with them for holidays. Now the coast is at the end of my road so after work I’ll be going for a walk along the coastal path.

so depends where you live, look at coach travel as a cheaper option to trains

Itsanewdawnitsanewdayitsanewlife4me · 29/04/2026 13:15

I live 1.2km from the beach so most days there for one reason or another but if you cant get there would you just buy the kids a sandpit and pool instead and improvise somewhat?

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 29/04/2026 13:12

I do like to be beside the seaside

sunflowersandsunsets · 29/04/2026 13:10

I go pretty much daily but I live half a mile away.

ClassyCuckoo · 29/04/2026 13:07

A day trip to the beach from London if you are living pay check to pay check is rather a luxury.

You could try taking a picnic to Ruislip Lido - take a Tube and bus ?

Original poster

helpmelosemybigbelly · 29/04/2026 12:58

I’m in London

OP posts:

HoskinsChoice · 29/04/2026 12:41

I know you said you live pay cheque to pay cheque so this will not be easy but I would focus more on why you can't go places, rather than where you can't go. Not being able to drive is very restrictive and really curbs your independence. I would move heaven and earth to get a driving licence.

dontmalbeconme · 29/04/2026 12:09

We're about an hour away, and we go frequently. About once a month/six weeks over the winter for a blustery ́dog walk and warming pub grub, and at least a couple of times a month over the summer months, with the odd weekend stay or week away thrown in. But we're really outdoorsy and love the beach.

I don't think it's really a requirement though. A day at the park or in the woods can be just as much fun.