Sandy beaches on the south coast of the uk

[Spink]

We're planning next year's summer hols and could do with some help please

We'll have our 26month ds, and a 4 month old new baby with us, and want to go somewhere with a sandy beach, not too far from home. Brighton is home. Anyone know of the nearest / nicest sandy beaches to here? Ideally no more than a 2-3 hour drive?

We're planning to hire a cottage, with another family, and ideally would want to stay on the beach (or as close as poss) and have a couple of shops and pub within walking distance, and other lovely things to explore within 15 mins or so drive...

..any ideas?

we have a place in bournemouth and the beach is lovely very sandy and you can explore other places like studland bay brownsea island etc

rural retreats have a cottage right on the beach in southbourne rural retreats

Isle of Wight very good.

Dorset?
Burton Bradstock, Studland, West Bay at Bridport. Small sandy beach at Lyme Regis - but there are pebbly beaches in between all those.

I love Broadstairs, yummy ice cream shop! Also great beach.

Studland in Dorset is glorious and there are loads of things to do in Purbeck/Poole/Bournemouth.

Spink - would you consider Normandy? You are close to Newhaven or Portsmouth and while your total travel time would be more, time for little ones actually strapped into a car would still be minimal. I've been pleasantly surprised by how nice Normandy is. Not hugely different to our side of channel, but less crowded, better food, etc.

Agree Dorset Poole beaches inc Sandbanks. Pictures of Sandbanks

Weymouth beach is perfect. Sandy, very shallow water and lots of fun (donkey rides/Punch and Judy etc)

Hello Spink! I am in your part of the world too.

We usually go on day trips to

West Wittering

It takes just over an hour to get there and is a fabulous beach. However, we have never stayed around those parts, so a little further investigating will probabley be necessary.

Ooh we went to West Wittering the other week, was lovely. V expensive parking though, for this time of year.

ooh, thanks everyone, will read through & reply properly after work I LOVE planning holidays!!
Normandy we hadn't thought about but could be worth considering - thanks ShePee!
I'll look up all the others too.
I thought west Wittering was a pebbly beach!! goes to show how much I know...

thanks again, will let you know how I get on!

west wittering pebbly at the top, then when the tide is out, there is loads and loads of sand!

Highcliffe has a lovely sandy beach and is about a 15 minute drive from bournemouth in one direction and the New Forest in the other.

Bigbury On Sea on the south Devon Heritage Coast is a lovely sandy beach. But it is possibly a bit too far west for you and it is a bit remote.