Brighton BN2 1TW: The beach is large pebbles, perfect for throwing into the crashing surf. A handful of coppers buys you great fun on the pier amusements, and the lower promenade includes Mechanical Memories and Brighton Fishing Museum. Go for donuts on the pier or an unusual flavour in Boho Gelato. The Volks Railway runs from the marina to the pier, via the fantastic Peter Pan Playground and splash park. Pebble beaches between Rottingdean and Saltdean have rockpools and shingle; you can walk/cycle along the undercliff walk or bus it. 40mins train from East Croydon.
Broadstairs CT10 1NB: 7 sandy bays dot this coastline. Watch surfers and use the trampolines at Joss Bay; see chalk stacks at rural Botany Bay; or enjoy the nostalgic charm of Viking Bay, with kids' rides, beach huts, harbour, cliff-top promenade, and two 1950s ice cream parlours: Morelli's and Chiappini's. Broadstairs Water Gala family festival is mid Aug, and there's Folk Week early Aug. 1hr 30mins by train from Bromley South. 1hr 30mins drive; parking is surprisingly reasonable.
Camber Sands, near Rye TN31 7RT: Great for digging and kite flying without the distractions of resorts. Lovely dunes and large expanse of sand and shingle. Wristbands for children in case you get separated. There are lifeguards but swimming can be very dangerous. Access is via a steep dune so not buggy terrain. 1hr 30 mins drive; parking is opposite beach and very expensive!
Margate Main Sands, CT9 1XJ: Sandy beach with beach bar, cafe, WCs, showers
Bucket-loads of Fun!
Local beach day trips
and lifeguards. Busy but plenty of sand for all, even with tide in. Close to Dreamland and Turner Contemporary, but a more manageable diversion with young kids is the Shell Grotto. Ultra-generous portions in Melt Gelato. 1hr 30mins by train from Bromley South, 1hr 25mins drive; plenty parking for reasonable day rate.
Minnis Bay, Birchington-on-Sea CT7 9QP: Easy access to pretty sandy beach with a paved coastal path, long promenade, playground, cafe, pub, WCs, and lifeguards in summer. Old-fashioned beach huts and lack of amusements add to its charm, as do rock pools for catching crabs. Warning: depending on the tide, the seaweed can be a bit smelly! 1hr 20mins drive; parking free but go early on a sunny day.
Sunny Sands, Folkestone CT19 6PX: Sand here is so good there’s the annual Folkestone Sandcastle Contest in mid Jul. There's a sculpture of the Folkestone mermaid, Pleasure Beach Cafe (summer only), WCs, gift shop, fish and chips and pub. Check tide times as no sand at high tide. 1hr 15mins drive; parking by the harbour, or by the Grand Burstin and the Harbour Arm.
West Wittering, Chichester PO20 8AJ: Beautiful unspoilt beach with plenty of sand at high tide. There are lifeguards, WC, showers, cafe and a not-great fish and chip van. Wristbands for children in case you get separated. Car park rate is reasonable for a half day but expensive for less and there can be queues. Check wind forecast as the sand is very fine and you don't want to be dragging kids off the beach in a sandstorm after the 2hr drive!