With spring well and truly underway here in the UK and summer seeming tantalisingly close, I’ve been contemplating upcoming trips to the coast. Last summer I really enjoyed taking day trips to coastal towns, both large and small, in South East England to explore and do street photography. 

Having pondered which ones I’d like to revisit in 2024, I thought I’d share this list of my favourite seaside towns near London, particularly for street photography.

Margate

Located on the gorgeous Kent coast in the Thanet district, Margate is a classic English seaside town. A bit rundown but being regenerated, it’s now also known for its arty ambiance, thanks largely to the Turner Contemporary art gallery. J.M.W. Turner was one of Britain’s greatest landscape painters who apparently loved Margate and considered the skies in Thanet the best in Europe – which bodes well for us photographers. 

Besides the picturesque bay and busy beach, there’s a great mix of contemporary cafes, eateries, and bars dotted about the characterful old town. The Harbour Arm stone pier stretching into the English Channel is fun to walk around and find photo opportunities as you go. However, the feature I most enjoyed in Margate was the large tidal pool down on the beach. There, as the sun went down and the tide receded, I managed to take some decent photos.

Broadstairs

Elsewhere in Thanet, a short distance around the peninsula from Margate, but very different in character, is Broadstairs. This colourful old fishing town is synonymous with Charles Dickens, who regularly holidayed and even penned one or two of his works here. Certainly its lofty, clifftop setting amid a succession of sheltered bays is dramatic and enjoyable to explore on foot. I especially liked the long beachfront promenade that snakes between bays beneath the cliffs and took my best photos there. 

There are in fact seven beaches in and around Broadstairs, two of which (Joss Bay and Botany Bay) enjoy Blue Flag status. The town itself, meanwhile, has old fishermen’s cottages, little independent shops and cafes, and even two 1950s-style ice cream parlours: Morelli’s and Chiappini’s. And given that I consider a refreshing ice cream an essential part of a summer photo walk, I look forward to revisiting Broadstairs.

Deal

Further along the Kent coast in so-called White Cliffs Country is charming Deal. This is an old town whose well-preserved architecture reflects an impressive maritime history. Deal Castle, one of the key landmarks, was built in Tudor times (16th century) on the initiative of Henry VIII to fend off invasion by the French.

Meanwhile the town centre consists of narrow streets populated with Georgian townhouses, fishermen’s cottages, traditional tea rooms, and high-quality independent shops. Other areas to explore are the shingle beach dotted with colourful wooden huts and boats and the somewhat brutalist 1950s pier, which I especially enjoyed photographing when lit up at dusk.

Folkestone

Still in Kent but on the south coast is Folkestone, another art-filled place with its own Creative Quarter. That centres on a cobbled stone street lined with colourful cottages housing independent shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants, conjuring a vibrant atmosphere. Meanwhile, over 70 sculptures, installations and other bits of artwork are scattered around the town, comprising “the UK’s largest urban contemporary art exhibition.” 

You can also admire all the Victorian and Edwardian architecture and spend hours walking up and down the seafront. A long boardwalk winds helpfully across the massive sandy beach, while the historic Harbour Arm offers fantastic sea views and a variety of food and drink options. Also the tranquil clifftop Leas Promenade designed by the prominent Victoria architect Decimus Burton is worth including on your photo walk.

Hastings

Heading into East Sussex now and Hastings has more of a history flavour, being synonymous with the pivotal 1066 battle that kicked off the Norman Conquest. I liked it for photography because there’s a good mix of attractions and places. The beach is huge and home to the usual mini golf, arcades, amusement park and Victorian-era pier common to all larger UK seaside towns. But there’s also a historic fishing area with a museum and colourful boats pulled up on the pebbles. 

Up on the overlooking cliffs, meanwhile, is an abundance of green space where townsfolk and tourists alike ramble or relax. Up there, you can also peruse the ruins of Hastings Castle, erected by the Normans in 1070, soon after their victory in the famous battle. And Hastings Country Park, extending along the rugged coastline and offering views as far as France. Another highlight is the Old Town, dating back to the Middle Ages and made up of quaint cottages, historic pubs, and antique shops.

Eastbourne

For me, the highlight of Eastbourne is its spectacular Grade II-listed pleasure pier, an architectural gem completed in 1870. Overall, the town’s abundance of Victorian architecture, including seafront hotels and townhouses, evokes a genteel, yesteryear atmosphere. The seafront is dominated by a steep shingle beach above which runs a three-mile-long promenade decorated with gardens and palm trees. 

Another major advantage of Eastbourne, for those who like to combine street and landscape photography, is the proximity of the South Downs National Park, which extends for many miles beyond the town along the coastline and has many walking trails. A popular one goes along the coast via famous viewpoints Beachy Head, Burling Gap, and finally the Seven Sisters, an iconic series of chalk cliffs, all the way to Seaford village.

Brighton

Part of the city of Brighton and Hove, Brighton is a bit like a seaside version of East London. With its free-thinking reputation, it has a slightly bohemian vibe and there’s always a party going on. Street photographers can therefore expect a lively atmosphere. The architecture provides an interesting backdrop, ranging from Georgian Regency-style squares and crescents to Victorian hotels and townhouses. Not to mention the iconic Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier, always thronging with people. 

In Brighton I tend to focus on two main areas. The Lanes are a series of side streets lined with independent shops and cafes and on Saturdays, a lively vintage clothes and knick-knacks market. And the seafront, including its broad shingle beach, lengthy promenade and the pier. In decent weather the seafront is always abuzz with street life.

Worthing

Finally, moving into West Sussex, Worthing is another worthwhile seaside town near London to visit. Its history is similar to most of the others: for a long time it remained a small fishing and farming settlement. Until, in the Georgian era (18th century) seabathing became popular for its health benefits and wealthy folk began to visit. Then followed its development into a full-fledged resort in Victorian times, having been linked by railway in the 1840s. 

For me, the highlight in Worthing was its Art Deco pier, dating to 1862, where I spent a good while photographing. The town centre isn’t spectacular but has some attractive Georgian and Victorian houses and a few buildings on the High Street that predate Worthing’s rise as a resort town. Also, on the peaceful seaside promenade, which is a joy to stroll along, I enjoyed the fetching Victorian shelters.

Last Word

All these seaside towns near London are quite easily accessible by car or train from the capital, with journey times of about 1.5 hours. All offer the classic English seaside experience – think pebbly beaches, pleasure piers, tacky arcades, old-fashioned ice cream and fish and chips shops – while also having their own distinct characters. 

I’ve been to them all, some multiple times, and have generally been pleasantly surprised. So I look forward to revisiting some this summer, as well as discovering more of the UK’s seaside towns through the prism of street photography.