Berkshire


<p>Living in Berkshire  means we’re a long way from the coast, but a one-day jaunt to the seaside is definitely doable as long as you’re willing to get up early. All of the suggestions below are two hours in the car, depending on which part of the county you live in. So grab the picnic blanket and the suncream, and let’s go!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mudeford-quay-dorset"><a href="https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/mudeford-quay-p1153033" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mudeford Quay</a>, Dorset</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock.jpg" alt="Mudeford" class="wp-image-36450" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/Mudeford-Ian-Woolcock-Shutterstock-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Ian Woolcock</figcaption></figure>



<p>This is definitely one of our&nbsp;family favourites. Mudeford is a stunner with its pristine white sands, enclosed by rocks and backed by candy-coloured beach huts. There’s a fantastic&nbsp;café called The Beach House across the sandspit which is open for takeaway ice creams, food and drinks. It&#8217;s roughly 1hr 30 mins away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studland-dorset"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Studland</a>, Dorset</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130.jpg" alt="Studland DOrset" class="wp-image-36449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/07/SuxxesPhoto-Studland-shutterstock_700941130-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fun fact to whip out if you get stuck in traffic: Coldplay’s famous one-take video for <em>Yellow</em>, where Chris Martin walks/sings along a beach was filmed at Studland. There are four miles of divine sandy beaches here. Alternatively, there’s&nbsp;plenty of watersports on offer at Knoll Beach, plus a 1km stretch for naturists, should you fancy letting it all hang out. It&#8217;ll take about 2 hrs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sandbanks-beach-nbsp-poole-dorset"><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/sandbanks-beach-p2355583" target="_blank">Sandbanks beach</a>,&nbsp;Poole, Dorset</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/Sandbanks-Dorset.jpg" alt="sandbanks poole sorset wide sandy beach" class="wp-image-21001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/Sandbanks-Dorset.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/Sandbanks-Dorset-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/Sandbanks-Dorset-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/Sandbanks-Dorset-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/Sandbanks-Dorset-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure></div>


<p>Ma Muddy used to spend her entire summer here when she was a little girl. Lucky thing. But it wasn&#8217;t quite the millionaires&#8217; playground it is today. Some things never change and that&#8217;s <a href="https://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/sandbanks-beach-p2355583" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sandbanks</a>&#8216;&nbsp;huge swathes of golden sand, but make sure you visit&nbsp;the fab Sandbanks Beach Café, plus there&#8217;s a BBQ facility on the beach and watersports nearby. After 1hr 30mins in the car you could be ogling&nbsp;Jamie Redknapp in his budgie smugglers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-wittering-west-sussex"><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Wittering</a>, West Sussex</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/WEST-WITTERING-BEACH.jpg" alt="sandy beat blue skies and tidal river West Wittering beach West Sussex" class="wp-image-20997" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/WEST-WITTERING-BEACH.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/WEST-WITTERING-BEACH-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/WEST-WITTERING-BEACH-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/WEST-WITTERING-BEACH-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/04/WEST-WITTERING-BEACH-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure></div>


<p>A firm favourite with the family, West Wittering&nbsp;beach boasts&nbsp;wide, gently shelving golden sands, sand dunes, Blue Flag rating and ample parking. It is perfect for a family day out – even Kevin the Teenager couldn’t find fault with&nbsp;this one. Bring a picnic or BBQ, and loll on the grassy area behind the beach to take in views across to Chichester harbour. It&#8217;s a decent 1hr 40min drive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lepe-beach-hants"><a href="https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/attractions/beaches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Lepe Beach (opens in a new tab)">Lepe Beach</a>, Hants</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach.jpg" alt="Lepe Beach New Forest Shingle beach" class="wp-image-27504" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Lepe-Beaach-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Visit Hampshire</figcaption></figure>



<p>Southampton has more going for it that its port (thank goodness for that). Head to Lepe, a coastal country park in the New Forest and enjoy its long stretch of shingle beach. It&#8217;s a popular spot with windsurfers, kitesurfers and families, with views of the Isle of Wight.&nbsp;Lepe Beach also played a big role in the D Day preparations and many troops departed from here. In my book that&#8217;s a history lesson right there, so counts as homeschool. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calshot-beach-hants"><a href="https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/attractions/beaches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Calshot Beach (opens in a new tab)">Calshot Beach</a>, Hants</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach.jpg" alt="Calshot Beach hampshire sea, narrow shingle beach and castle turret" class="wp-image-27503" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Calshot-Beach-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Visit Hampshire</figcaption></figure>



<p>Another New Forest National Park beach and one that&#8217;s very close to Lepe. Calshot Spit is the epitome of pretty – brightly coloured beach huts, views across to the Isle of Wight and on good days, Portsmouth&#8217;s Spinnaker Tower and a castle built by Henry VII. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brighton-east-sussex"><a href="https://www.visitbrighton.com/">Brighton</a>, East Sussex</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3-1000x750.png" alt="" class="wp-image-52338" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3-1000x750.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3-800x600.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3-400x300.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3-768x576.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3-700x525.png 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/05/image-3.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You probably don’t need me to tell you about Brighton but don’t dismiss it as too far for a day trip. I can make it in two hours if I hammer it round the M25. It’s a pebbly beach of course but I don’t mind that when there’s so much else to do. All the cool kids live in Hove now, so head west for a slightly quieter beach and amazing pizza at<a href="http://www.fattoamanopizza.com/">&nbsp;Fatto A Mano</a>&nbsp;on Church Street. Make time for a wander through the lanes and pick up a treasure or two.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barton-on-sea-new-forest-hampshire"><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.thenewforest.co.uk/discover/barton-on-sea.aspx?AskRedirect=true" target="_blank">Barton-on-Sea</a>, New Forest, Hampshire</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire.jpg" alt="Barton on sea beach sand sea and painted beach huts" class="wp-image-27502" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Barton-on-Sea-Beach-Visit-Hampshire-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Visit Hampshire</figcaption></figure>



<p>I get so distracted by the gorgeous greenery and cute ponies in the New Forest, I forget it does beaches too. It can be windy in Barton – it’s a prime para-gliding spot – so don’t forget to pack your kite.&nbsp;It&#8217;s also a good spot for fossil hunting, so if you have any dino mad kids (or adults) that should could keep them busy for a bit. Above the safe, sandy beach, you can stroll along the clifftops.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bournemouth-dorset"><a href="https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bournemouth</a>, Dorset</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth.jpg" alt="Bournemouth Beach" class="wp-image-52339" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/07/Bournemouth-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>An obvious choice, but you can’t beat Bournemouth. Its seven miles of golden sands and tropical gardens is like catnip to sunseekers. Now, it&#8217;s important to note that the mere hint of sunshine and the crowds are flashing the flesh faster than a stripper in Soho, so in the interest of maintaining some social distance, head to less popular beaches like Hengistbury Head, Durley Chine and Alum Chine.</p>



<p><strong><em>Want something closer to home? Check out our pick of the <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/20-of-the-best-spring-walks-near-you/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">best family walks locally</a>.</em></strong></p>


Beach day! Seaside trips that are doable from Berkshire

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