Best seaside town for long term stay - suggestions

[PegasusReturns]

I’m looking for somewhere to stay for 3/4 months next summer and would love some suggestions on areas to focus on.

Requirements:

Walking distance to the sea or other body of water (for swimming/kayaking/SUP)
Max 3 hour drive to London
Restaurants/cafes/bars in immediate vicinity but prefer not a busy town location.

Embarrassingly I’ve rarely ventured into the English sea/countryside.

Eastbourne
Deal
Brighton - might be too busy

Eastbourne is lovely, cuckmere haven is somewhere to paddle board

Looe

Southwold

We live in Whitstable and whilst very expensive is absolutely lovely x

Herne Bay
Hythe

Shoreham by Sea. One hour and 25 minutes to London on the train and only about 15 minutes on the train to Brighton. River Adur for kayaking and SUP and the sea for swimming in. Lots of cafes and some nice restaurants and a wider selection available in Brighton to the east and Worthing to the West.

Swanage, lots of great places to explore round there as well

Hayling Island. As the name suggests on the south coast. Not as built up as Portsmouth or Southsea but not so many nice places to eat and drink.

I came to say Hayling Island

Poole Dorset.
Love it here. Close to Bournemouth/Swanage/ Sandbanks for watersports.

Not Looe. It's too far a drive from London.

Was going to say the same!

Chichester/West Wittering, Hove/Shoreham

Felixstowe on the east coast or Worthing or Lancing on the south coast?

What are you planning on doing while you are there. What kind of accommodation would you like and do you have a budget?

How much money are you planning on spending on rental? Some of the places mentioned are very expensive!

Tenby (maybe pushing the 3 hour drive a bit)
Penarth
Brighton
Poole/Bournemouth/Swanage
Weymouth
Barry

Oulton Broad

Lots of great suggestions - Thanks!

I used to go to Brighton a lot - it would definitely be too big for what I have in mind but I like the idea of at least being near somewhere with some nice shops etc.

@Sprig1 I’ll be working a bit/ chilling a bit. My DC will come and go. I have a fantasy of a sort of rural retreat where I can relax and recharge batteries. Overlooking sea, peaceful and remote but with at least a village in walking distance.

Short drive to farmers market, somewhere to go and do Pilates and have a leisurely lunch.

It might only exist in my head!

if swimming/paddle boarding look into the issues @ hayling and chichester harbour with southern water dumping poo in the sea every time it rains. Sad but true. You might want to go somewhere where the water is less brown

Maybe have a look at Isle of Wight, long term rental may be cheaper there

@whatnextdandelions

if swimming/paddle boarding look into the issues @ hayling and chichester harbour with southern water dumping poo in the sea every time it rains. Sad but true. You might want to go somewhere where the water is less brown

Also a problem on North Kent coast.

Budleigh Salterton - it's a proper town that happens to be by the sea, there are lovely villages (Otterton is fab) and river/clifftop walks close by, and you've Exeter to escape to if you need a city fix. Just about doable in 3 hours.