The nearest beach to Milton Keynes? There is always a time when we need to get the family out and about. Then why not visit the seaside as a trip to the beach is a great way to get the kids interacting with fun-filled activities.
But where is the nearest beach to Milton Keynes?
Milton Keynes may be well-known for its modern urban landscape and iconic roundabouts, but sometimes, you need a day by the sea to relax and recharge. While Milton Keynes isn’t exactly a coastal city, several beautiful beaches within a couple of hours’ drive are perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway. Here’s a guide to some of the nearest beaches to Milton Keynes, offering a variety of seaside experiences for all tastes.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Distance from Milton Keynes 140 km (87 miles) with a journey time of approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, via M1 and M25.
Southend-on-Sea is within Essex on the north side of the Thames estuary.
Southend-on-Sea is one of the most popular seaside destinations near Milton Keynes. It is known for its long pier—the longest pleasure pier in the world, at just over 2 km long. Built-in 1830, it has a narrow-gauge train to transport you to the end, or if you prefer, you can take the round-trip walk with a rest at the cafe on the end of the pier. The beach is sandy with some pebbles, making it ideal for families looking to build sandcastles or paddle in the shallow waters.
Besides enjoying the beach, Southend is packed with attractions. Adventure Island, an amusement park on the seafront, is great for thrill-seekers. For a more relaxed day, stroll down the pier, visit the Sealife Adventure aquarium, or enjoy fish and chips along the promenade.
Due to the close location to London and good train links, this is not a location for a quiet trip to the coast.
Whitstable, Kent
Distance from Milton Keynes 192 km (119 miles) with a journey time of approximately 2 hours 10 minutes, via M25 and M2.
Whitstable is a seaside town on the north coast of Kent. The town has shingle/sandy beaches flanking the picturesque harbour and plenty of roads and alleys to explore with boutique shops, art galleries and a selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants where fish, crabs and oysters are some of the favourites on the menu.
Whitstable is famous for oysters, which have been collected in the area since Roman times and celebrated at the Whitstable Oyster Festival in July.
In addition to Whitstable itself, you have some more options, including the coastal marsh and wildlife near Seasalter, which also has a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Distance from Milton Keynes 189 km (118 miles) with a journey time of approximately 2 hours 10 minutes, via M25 and A3.
Portsmouth is a port city in Hampshire, mainly built on the low-lying island of Portsea. It is still a working port, but it is also home to some famous ships, including HMS Warrior, the Tudor carrack Mary Rose, and Horatio Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, all of which can be visited.
The former HMS Vernon naval site has been redeveloped as a retail park known as Gunwharf Quays. This park includes the 170 m (560 feet) tall Spinnaker Tower (seen above).
Portsmouth offers a lot to do, including retail shopping, harbour boat trips, and historic ships to see, but if you want a true seaside experience, head south out of the city centre to Southsea, which has a beach, pier, and amusement parks.
Brighton, East Sussex
Distance from Milton Keynes 189 km (118 miles) with a journey time of approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, via M25 and M23/A23.
Brighton is in East Sussex and became a fashionable seaside resort in the Georgian era. It sits between the South Downs to the North and the English Channel to the south.
Brighton has a long shingle beach split into sections by wooden groynes. The main seafront area is between the old derelict West Pier and the Palace Pier. This stretch has a wide promenade with various bars, restaurants, nightclubs, sports facilities and amusement arcades.
Brighton is not just about the beach. A short walk from the seafront offers a large selection of shops and restaurants, and the famous Brighton Lanes offers independent shops and boutiques in narrow, twisting alleyways.
Hunstanton, Norfolk
Distance from Milton Keynes 172 km (107 miles) with a journey time of approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, via A421, A1 and A47.
We headed northwards for our last seaside town and chose Hunstanton in Norfolk. Although King’s Lynn is a little closer, we have listed Hunstanton as having the best beaches. Hunstanton faces west across The Wash, making it one of the few places on the east coast where the sun can be seen setting over the sea.
The Hunstanton that most people visit is actually New Hunstanton, which was built as a 19th-century resort town adjacent to the old village, which is known as Old Hunstanton and has a quieter atmosphere.
While Milton Keynes might be landlocked, several beaches within a couple of hours’ drive offer the perfect seaside escape. Whether you’re seeking the lively atmosphere of Brighton, the traditional charm of Whitstable, or the unique beauty of Hunstanton, there’s a beach nearby that’s sure to provide a memorable day out.
We tried to keep the journey time down to a maximum of 2 hours 15 minutes. If you don’t mind an extra 20 minutes in the car, then you have a lot more of the Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, and Hampshire coasts to explore. Pack your sunscreen, grab a beach towel, and hit the road—the coast is closer than you think!
Cost Radar maps out the UK coastline and provides search tools to find beaches.
If you have been to these or have any other suggestions we would love to hear from you on our Facebook page.
Milton Keynes feature photo by alexliivet