One of the first things we think about when asked about Brighton is the beach. When the sun starts shining after the metaphorically long months of January and February, thousands flock to this coastal city ready to enjoy the atmosphere and soak up the sun with fish and chips on the beach. Provided the seagulls don’t get you that is.
Brighton’s well-earned popularity, however, can mean that its seafront is packed with tourists from far and wide, which is great but isn’t always the vibe if you’re looking for a peaceful beachfront stroll. If you want a bit more space, a bit more peace, and the opportunity to explore a hidden area, this list will help you find some of the most secret beaches that are only two hours away from Brighton.
Birling Gap
A shingle beach that provides a Haven for wildlife, the Birling Gap should be the first on your list. Located near Eastbourne, the Birling Gap is part of the famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and serves as an entry point for coastal walks in the immediate area.
Surrounded by the tremendous chalk cliffs, this site of supreme natural beauty contains a number of rock pools and is the perfect ground for any keen fossil hunters. A very ancient part of Sussex, it would be almost criminal not to explore this beautiful and secluded section of the coastline. It’s only 50 minutes from Brighton by car and one hour and 30 minutes by the 12x bus.
West Wittering Beach
In the opposite direction lies West Wittering Beach. An hour away from Brighton by car or just under two hours if public transport is more your thing, West Wittering Beach is a gorgeous, sandy (yes sandy) beach that provides visitors with a holiday that doesn’t cost the earth to do.
A premiere Blue Flag beach, it has some of the best views of Chichester Harbour and the South Downs for you to try and capture on your phone camera. With a cafe on the premises, it’s the perfect spot to relax with a good book, watch your dog zoom along the beachfront, or build a sandcastle. Just remember to pre-book before you arrive.
Fairlight Glen Beach
Overlooking Covehurst Bay and about a mile east of Hastings lies Fairlight Glen Beach. This shingle beach is incredibly secluded in part due to its reputation as a naturist beach but also due to the supreme cliffs that arch around it.
Welcoming all, naturist or not, the surrounding wooded areas form part of the Hasting Country Park Nature Reserve and with no facilities available for guests, it means that Fairlight Glen feels incredibly remote. Whether it’s to explore a new area, go for a walk or simply to switch off from your busy day-to-day life, it’s well worth a visit to a site of natural, uninterrupted beauty.
Pevensey Bay
An old fishing village founded in the 1600s Pevensey Bay Beach has had its place in history more than once. The beach was the first part of England that William the Conqueror landed in the Norman invasion of England in 1066. Later on it would then become part of Britain’s defenses during the Napoleonic war.
Nowadays however its shingle beach’s salt marshes known as the Pevensey Levels which are a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the many rare plants, birds and animals that call it home. This beautiful stretch of shingle is at its best in the morning sunrise and at times when the tide is low a sandy beach can be found.
Holywell Retreat
At a quiet enclave lying at the feet of the South Downs, Holywell Retreat hides its guests from the business that usually follows other more well-known beaches around. With a cafe on site, the retreat also houses beach huts and beach chalets and is dog friendly. Its natural beauty is clear to see but with the added touch of a rock pool, boasting marine life at low tide, your love of Holywell Retreat will only grow.
Word of Holywell Retreat has even reached the ears of British production companies with the beach serving as a location for scenes in the likes of Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Miss Marple, Christmas at the Riviera, and Eastenders, even Phil Collins has filmed a music video here.
Climping Beach
Situated between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis and just over an hour away from Brighton by car and train lies Climping Beach in Atherington. Described as a true hidden gem by SussexLive, this tranquil stretch of sand and vegetated shingle offers visitors with their own haven where they can walk the dog or read a book in peace away from the hoards of tourists that Sussex usually welcomes. Complete with sandy dunes, Climping beach is home to the Climping Beach Cafe and a luxury hotel and spa are located only a short walk away, making this place is one of the best kept secrets amongst locals.
Kingston Beach
A stone’s throw from Shoreham Port, Kingston Beach doesn’t fit the stereotypical vibe we think of when we think of hidden beaches. Backed by a combination of suburban housing and the industrial port, Kingston beach’s charm is the fact that it sits amongst these signifiers of human impact.
A perfect place for a quiet stroll, it’s easy to reach via public transport and, the spot is popular amongst the angler community with many visiting the beach to catch species such as eel, flounders and schoolies. Whatsmore, it’s really fun to sit back with a drink and watch the boats that sail past, but maybe that’s just me.
Ferring Beach
Ferring Beach is a beautiful pebble beach. Located just beyond Goring, right next to Worthing, this stretch of the coast is perfect for rock-pooling, making a great site for young families or any keen wildlife explorer.
A picturesque spot, when the tide is high this beach turns into a great spot for sea swimming or anyone looking to cool off in the summer heat. Horse riding along the beach is a popular morning sport, which is a great sight to see whilst relaxing at The BlueBird Cafe in the early morning sun.
Southwick
Based in Portslade, Southwick Beach sits next to where the River Adur enters the sea. An incredibly secluded beach, with industrial buildings and warehouses in the background, this place is a spot that holiday-goers rarely visit, meaning it’s one of the best places to visit when looking for alternative spots to Brighton’s main beaches.
This seclusion means that the beach has become a popular spot for windsurfers and fishers. The beach’s promenade is home to a cafe, serving a variety of hot and cold drinks. Dogs are allowed on the beach too!
Rustington Beach
A mix of sand and shingle at low tide, Rustington Beach is just under an hour away by car meaning there’s no excuse not to go. Lying along on the coast of Littlehampton, the beach is broken up by a number of wooden groynes and the site is a popular destination for watersports, particularly kitesurfing due to the south-westerly winds originating from the Chanel. Visitors have regularly rated this highly for the good facilities and the beach’s general ability to cater to lots of different groups’ needs means it’s a peaceful hidden gem.
Pagham Beach
Situated in Bognor Regis, Pagham Beach is a beautiful site that offers visitors much to enjoy. A haven for dog walkers, the stony shores are surrounded by wetlands, salt marshes and lagoons that make up the Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, meaning that anyone fresh after a binge watch of the British Isles TV series can get their fix by keeping an eye out for the variety of birds animals and insects that call Pagham home. A popular spot for avid walkers, due to the numerous public footpaths, the beachfront is one of the best places to stop and take in the scenery.
Normans Bay
On the doorstep of the coastal fishing hamlet, Nomans Bay’s beautiful shingle and sand beach sits between Bexhill and Eastbourne. A brilliant place to switch off from a busy day or a great way to start your day refreshed.
Though it is also an unofficial nudist beach, the area usually experiences high coastal winds that make it perfect for flying kites or windsurfing. An incredibly peaceful area, this site lives an hour from Brighton by car and one hour and 20 minutes by train.
Cuckmere Haven
Found near Seven Sisters, Cuckmere Haven is a small but impactful beach. This gorgeous stretch of shingle is not only a picturesque hidden gem its also had its hand in English history. When the tides are low the shipwreck of the German ship Polynesia is revealed by the waves, the ship which became a wreckage in 1890, was transporting a cargo of sodium nitrate.
It is also home to an extensive array of different types of wildlife, including aquatic birds like the oystercatcher who can be seen foraging in the nearby water meadows. It’s safe to say Cuckmere Haven is worth the visit and will make you want to stay.
