Cheap beach UK place that's not Blackpool

[LewishamMumNow]

As above, and ideally much nearer to London, but otherwise not fussed.

Southend on Sea

Margate or Cliftonville.
Look up Walpole Bay/ Palm bay.

Great Yarmouth

Hunstanton

Thanks for the ideas. Margate I'd tried and it seems quite pricey. Just looked up Southend-on-Sea. It's around 50% more than Blackpool, but still a lot less than everywhere else I'd tried!

We live in Southend but we like the beaches at Walton on the Naze and go every year for a weekend break. You can hire beach huts by the day too.

@AngelsWithSilverWings Thanks. What is better about the beaches at Walton on the Naze? I've visited as a day trip from Clacton but don't remember it too well. Is it a bit more upmarket/quieter? I think I'll be sticking with Southend - my brood are young and I think it's probably better.

Felixstowe ? Good beaches, stuff to do plus places to go if the weather isn't good

Walton beaches are bigger and more like real sea with waves - Southend is more of an estuary. Don't get me wrong I l love Southend especially Leigh on Sea ( which you must visit) but we find Walton , particularly up by Hipkins Beach cafe and The Naze Tower quieter and more relaxing. Also when you live somewhere , as much as you love it you need to get some distance to feel like you have had a break!

If you have decided on Southend and are planning to visit adventure island make sure you buy discounted wrist bands - if you need to know where you can buy them I can tell you ( it's usually schools that sell them but I know a couple of shops that sell them on behalf of the local schools)

Hastings ? Plenty to do for kids

Agree - Hastings is great too

What is it you’re planning on doing? Clacton is just a southern version of Blackpool in my opinion (no tower) there’s not a lot to do at Walton just a lovely beach and a pier with rides on. Felixstowe is lovely ( I was there yesterday) lovely beach, pier and 2p arcades and nice fish and chips. It also has a nice big wheel if that’s your thing?!

Be warned - parking charges in Southend are ridiculously expensive now.

Thanks all. I think Southend is the best bet. I've got a 3yo, 2yo and baby and am just looking for a basic bucket and spade holiday. I'm dependent on public transport and Blackpool is just a bit far away and I'd rather do it later in the year (and maybe next with) with illuminations etc. I've left it to the last minute but am looking for a week which must be in school summer holidays, ideally August.

Camber sands?

Lytham St Annes

Fantastic holiday place. Lovely big beach.

Sounds like no sort of a holiday. Still well done for giving it a go.

However if you can get a train to Portsmouth harbour its a two minute walk (same building) to the Cat across to Ryde on the Island. If you can get a cheap hotel there the beach is lovely and very safe and Ryde has everything you need without going far.
There's always offers on Visit Hampshire or Travel Zoo

@Invent why would you say it's no sort of holiday? When my kids were the same age as OP every day was like a holiday here in Southend in the summer. Lots of different Beaches , theme park , amusements , ice cream parlours , nice play parks, sea life centre , indoor play centres, crazy golf , the pier trains. So much to do and easy to get around on public transport including an open top bus that runs all along the coast.

The only issue OP may have is that we don't have a huge amount of holiday accommodation available. No holiday parks , a couple of very smart ( expensive) hotels and a few premier inns and travel lodges.

Dawlish Warren in Devon. Several caravan sites really near the train station, lovely beaches, plenty to do. I also go on holiday on public transport, and have been going there since my kids were tiny.

@AngelsWithSilverWings Fuck all to do with location but having 3 kids under three. Unless they have a nanny I can't see how you could call it holiday no matter where they went.

Broadstairs?

@Invent most families do take their children on holiday without the need or indeed the budget for a nanny. Yes it's a different type of holiday to two weeks all inclusive in an adults only resort but many of us actually enjoy our children.

Oh right so it's just me remembering all the threads from mums in tears on holiday with tiny ones. And all the replies saying it's harder work going away until they are a bit older.
"Enjoying" your children when they are all under three can be done at home with a paddling pool and sand pit. Especially when you don't drive and there's no mention of a partner.
Anyway I suggested the Isle of Wight which is a great family friendly holiday. Ideal for the non driver too.

I had no problem with toddlers on holiday. We just kept things very child focused and simple (which is what the OP appears to be set on doing) Also don't forget that not everyone has a garden for a paddling pool and sand pit.

I basically wanted something like Blackpool but much nearer to Lonson. Having three under 4 (not under 3, although they were at one point!) is hard, but I just want a fairly easy simple beach holiday. I haven't seen threads with mums in tears actually, but have taken my kids away before. The trick is keep it simple. Somewhere with a kitchen, near to the beach, and with ice cream, chippy, runaround areas nearby. It's a million miles from the sort of holiday I'd have gone on without children (or a baby, or just one child, or older children), but it's very much a holiday for all of us. Although in some ways it's more challenging than at home, I enjoy going somewhere different and I enjoy seeing my kids so happy playing with sand. There aren't many people who wouldn't ever go away because they had a few young children, unless they really could not afford to. I want a break, and Southend fits the bill pretty well for us.

Camber sands is lovely but sounds too quiet for what you want.