With half term thick and fast approaching, you might be frantically thinking of all the ways you can keep the little ones entertained when they’re off from school – and chances are, your list of ideas is quickly running out. However, a day trip to the beach is never a bad plan for giving your children something to look forward to. So, whether the sun is gloriously shining, there’s an unexpected but welcomed heatwave, or the day is a little overcast, don’t miss these 3 south coast beaches to visit with the whole family:
Brighton
An oldie but goldie, everyone must visit Brighton Beach at least once in their lifetime. Voted as one of the top city breaks in the world, Brighton truly does have everything to offer all ages of the family. Parents can sit back on the pebbled beach and relax with a portion of newspaper-wrapped chips while children take up water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, or just practising their skimming skills. Finish off the evening with a quick meander to Brighton Palace Pier, where children and parents alike can face their fears on the helter-skelter!
Littlehampton
Down the road from Brighton, families can swap the bright lights and babble of the city for a classic British beach day out at Littlehampton in West Sussex. With sand and shingle beaches stretching for miles, Littlehampton is the perfect place to get your kids away from screens and breathe in the fresh salt air of the sea instead. Don’t miss Littlehampton’s seafront, complete with gardens, amusements, and even a traditional promenade; better yet, getting from Brighton to Littlehampton is super simple via train.
Chichester
If you’re a family of keen cyclists, West Wittering Beach (just six miles south of Chichester) is accessible directly from the city by The Salterns Way cycle path. But this isn’t the only positive of West Wittering Beach! The long sands are also perfect for heart-pumping water sports like kite and windsurfing (just remember to sign up as a member at West Wittering Club) – as well as romantic evening rambles whenever the kids finally go off to sleep!
If your kids would benefit from something a little more structured than being flung on a kitesurfing board, the Cobnor Activity Centre less than half an hour away from Chichester offers a range of outdoor sports for kids like sailing, canoeing and kayaking, cycling, climbing, and archery…
Whether you use these suggestions as a to-do list for the south of England, or as just a way to narrow down the number of incredible southern coastlines, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beautiful seaside towns that England has to offer with every single member of your family.