Best seaside day trip from London?

[24hoursfromtulsa]

What are peoples recommendations for the best seaside town for a day trip from London? Looks like we won't be having a holiday this year (like many many people) and would like to do a couple of day trips to somewhere pretty, with typical British seaside attractions (pier, fish and chips etc), within say 2 hours train ride of London.

Where's your favourite, and why?

brighton is very quick and very nice, pebble beach though.
broadstairs has the best sandy beaches IMO.

Southsea, it's got all u want plus u could even go to the Isle of Wight. It's a shingle beach but u then appreciate that sand doesn't get everywhere

My best sandy beach is in Bournemouth..

Southend is the best for a good promenade/pier.

Broadstairs. Big beautiful beaches. Fish and chips. Ice cream. No pier though.

West Wittering FTW!

Oh and Brighton is the obvious option but the beach sucks and it is RAMMED on any sunny day. Plus run the gauntlet of hen and stags

We went to Margate in that brief break in the lockdown last year. Lovely sandy beach that's literally across the road from the railway station. Dreamworld (I think it's called) - the amusement park wasn't open when we went but might be now.
Brighton is ok for pier, fish and chips etc but the beach is giant pebbles. Also a seagull stole my ice cream at Brighton.

West wittering no train station, no pier, no promenade or anything...

But it is gorgeous.
But remember you have to pre book a parking space and please don’t try and park elsewhere in the village

Whitstable also but they hate the DFLs and the beach is shit.
Broadstairs every time.

Clacton? Southend?

Most beaches in kent. I'd avoid Whitstable, it's heaving on a normal day
Go further towards Folkestone

At Mary’s Bay & Hythe. Not sure if the miniature railway is open yet. I’d guess so.

Saint Mary’s Bay, that is.

Another southsea vote.

Although it pains me to share it in case it gets busy.
Great cafes, lovely fish and chips, great arcades, model village, crazy golf etc and a little aquarium.
I like just watching the hovercraft coming in and out.

Bournemouth is nice, it’s Sandy but busy.

It really depends where you are in london. If your more west or more east.

East the Essex and kent coastline is your best bet.

Depends which side of London you live. We're north and Southend is closest by car. Theme park there and very long pier with a train you can ride on. Plus water fountains to play in on promenade and F&C cafes overlooking the sea. But if the tide is out, it goes out a long way and sand is muddy.

If you want to go further Frinton on Sea / Walton on the Naze is nice.

Brighton good by train as you can often get very cheap tickets. Plus lots to see and do and places to eat.

Also went to Eastbourne recently (by train). Nice walk along beach / coast to right and pretty gardens with cafe.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Forgot to add we will probably go by train as we don't usually have a car that we can hire one. We are in North London and it's just the two of us, no kids.

Think I'll give Brighton a swerve, been lots of times and it's far too busy.

Southsea and Broadstairs are looking popular I think...