sandy beach on south coast, 2-3 hour drive from W London AND easy train journey from Paddington/Waterloo

[sacbina]

want to book a long weekend away in June for my birthday. would love a sandy beach safe for small dcs, max 2-3 hour drive from Ealing, and somewhere for dh to travel to agree work that won't take hours and involve numerous train changes

any ideas?? thank you x

Bournemouth? A nice sandy beach, the Jurassic coast on the doorstep and less than 2 hours on the train from Paddington.

bournemouth fits the bill

about 1hr 45 mins from waterloo
not too many changes - sometimes none
lovely sandy beach
lots of shopping v busy town
loads of hotels :)

Watching, really need a camping trip!

Exmouth? I'm not sure of the driving distance TBH but easily accessible via train to Exeter St Davids, where you could either pick DH up in the car or he could get the local train down into Exmouth station.

Climping, near Worthing, gorgeous beach backed with dunes.

West wittering (I think your DH may have to get train to Chichester).

Bracklesham bay.

Bournemouth would enable swanage/purbecks which are great...or
Broad stairs Kent, sandy beach great for little ones, great ice cream shop..
Or bit more trendy whitstable is 1.5hrs on train...can stay in fishermans huts right on beach but not sure are sandy....

Poole? Not much further than Bournemouth by train and just across the harbour to Studland bay and swanage.

some great suggestions, thank you. now to find a bed.....

Poole and then beaches at Studland and swanage. depending on your budget the Pig On The Beach hotel is meant to be amazing.

wow! the pig looks fantastic
can't quite figure where to put the kids, why can't i leave them at home!