British seaside! Thoughts please

[pincushion5]

I'm researching somewhere on the south coast for a mini seaside break for my family (2 young children). I'm tossing up Bognor Regis, Weymouth and Bournemouth. We're in London and would need somewhere within 2 hours by train.

In the past we have enjoyed Southend - nice beach, interesting town, fairgrounds. Which from my list might we like? Anything else I've missed? (Not Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Margate, Deal, Brighton, as already been.)

Thank you!

Poole is lovely near Bournemouth.

Bournemouth is also nice - especially Boscombe Bay.

Weymouth is lovely and so many areas of the Jurassic coast to explore nearby - charmouth, seaton tramline, west bay , Lyme Regis etc.

Portsmouth has loads to do if you haven't looked at that?

Also look at places like Milton on sea that are in or near the new forest. You get the best of both worlds then.

Butlins at Bognor

I live in Bournemouth...it's grim! Run down town centre, many drug rehab centres, many homeless people. Poor bus service, appalling traffic on roads unable to cope.

We had a brilliant family holiday staying in Aldwick near Bognor. Loads of great things to do nearby!

I love Weymouth. Fantastic beach - perfect sand for sand castles (I believe they hold an annual sandcastle building competition there). The sea is of a depth you can swim in.
It's near to Swanage which has the steam train which goes to Corfe Castle which has Enid Blyton links if you are a fan. There's a paddle steamer boat but I can't remember if that goes from Weymouth or Swanage.
To me that whole area - Weymouth/Swanage is the perfect British seaside experience (although I don't think either have a pier - might be wrong. Memory isn't to good today).

I've just realised I haven't had one trip to the seaside this year and now I am really sad 😭😭😭😭

We've booked Weymouth for the first time so good to see the reviews! We went to Poole and Swanage last year - both nice seaside towns I would say. Had a trip out to monkey world too which we enjoyed as well as the beautiful beaches in swanage

Weymouth is no where near Swanage

@FiveGoMadInDorset yes it is. I have been on holiday to Weymouth and we did a day trip over to Swanage to go on the steam train.

@FiveGoMadInDorset 28 miles apart...

@FiveGoMadInDorset
I know you are local, but it's about 30 miles from Weymouth to Swanage. Easy car journey but probably rubbish on a bus.

@SushiSuave may I ask where you're staying? We've had bad air bnb experiences so was hoping for a hotel this time, but so prohibitively expensive... (£200+ a night)

I am from Thanet (Margate/Broadstairs/Ramsgate) before moving away and visited Weymouth this year.

I've got some unconscious bias against Thanet because I lived there but between the two, I feel like there is a lot more available in Margate, especially now. I feel like the general calibre of people there might be a bit lower though.

Is the water park you are thinking of in Deal? I've not been but family has. I think it might be called Tides?

I grew up near Weymouth and also lived in Bournemouth for 5 years. I would consider moving back. I think for a beach holiday, I'd probably go for Weymouth over Bournemouth, though if I go for a day, it'd be Bmt, as it's just that bit closer.

Swanage is also lovely, but not as easy on public transport. That doesn't make it impossible, just not as easy. Lyme even more so.

I went to the Isle of Wight for the first time ever last year (having lived literally in sight of it for years, and had a colleague who lived there.) I'm glad I've been, and there is a lot to see and do which is interesting. But Dorset is better, and you don't have the hassle of the ferry

There's no water park in Margate?! I thought last time we saw a park called octopus something that had water rides. But maybe I'm conflating Dreamland with an aquarium or something.

Agree with @ProperVexed as I live near Boscombe area

I second this! Dymchurch is lovely too, and lots to do in the area.

My husband went to Swanage last July for a weekend, so summertime but the schools hadn't yet broken up. He said it was mostly shut in the evening, to the point where he actually thought they wouldn't be able to find anywhere to eat,

@pincushion5 have you considered the isle of wight? Excellent and no car required!

I would choose the Isle of Wight over any of those three.

I wouldn’t do Bognor, it’s okay for a day but not anywhere near the best of Sussex! Worthing would be better!

Bournemouth beaches are lovely.

I would also suggest IOW, it’s really accessible without a car and there is so much to do. Train to Portsmouth and either ferry or hovercraft. We often go for the day on the Hovercraft, it really feels like a holiday.

Can't go wrong with Weymouth, Sandy beach, calm water, not tacky.

Weymouth tops those three. Bognor is grim and I live close by so I know. Weymouth town is run down but that’s a lot of towns these days. However you have a fabulous beach and a wonderful harbour with lots going on. There’s Portland close by and going west lots of lovely resorts. Weymouth has a theatr run by locals and lots of good shows on there. Book Weymouth, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. No, I don’t work for the tourist board! I was born there and go back a lot .

Weymouth is lovely as is Lyme Regis.

I quite like Dymchurch too but it’s very small and the beach tidal.

I'd look at Portsmouth plenty to do in the Dockyard - Mary Rose Victory etc if you have crap weather. Southsea beach is OK if pebbly but you could get the hydrofoil to Ryde on the Isle of Wight - lovely and sandy.