Call us biased, but we think Sussex has some of the best beaches in the UK. In fact we have so many along the 220 km (140 miles) that make up the Sussex coastline that we’ve written two posts about them. Read on for our fabulous East Sussex beaches or check out our West Sussex beach guide if you’re heading west.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly beach for a great day out, a dog-friendly beach to tire out your four-legged friend, or a quiet location for a few relaxing hours of peace and quiet, you’ll be spoiled for choice along the East Sussex coastline.
In fact, there are so many fabulous East Sussex beaches, you might find it hard to choose!
So we’ve compiled a list of the most beautiful beaches in East Sussex, starting with one of the best beaches in the UK, Camber Sands, and ending up on Hove beach heading west.
We’ll tell you the best places to visit, the top things to do, and the facilities you can expect to find, so you can plan the perfect East Sussex beach day out. Now all we need is some sunshine…
Camber Sands Beach
Unlike most other Sussex beaches, the five-mile beach at Camber Sands features a long stretch of soft, golden sand, backing onto the only sand dunes in East Sussex. This makes it one of the best beaches in East Sussex, and it’s popular with visitors from London, less than two hours away.
The best stretch of sand lies to the west of Camber Sands Beach, near the mouth of the River Rother. It’s the perfect spot to get your bucket and spade out and create your sandcastle masterpiece, and is one of the best places on the south coast for beachcombing.
The waters at Camber Sands Beach are clean, reasonably shallow and fairly warm. This makes them great for swimming, and the western end of the beach is also patrolled by lifeguards. There’s plenty of space on the sands, so you’ve got a good chance of finding a quiet spot, even in the peak summer months.
Kitesurfing
Camber Sands has an exposed location that makes it popular with windsurfers and kite surfers, and there’s a kitesurfing centre right on the beach. However, if you’re more inclined to spend your day relaxing on the sands, you might want to pack a windbreak.
Public washrooms are available, and there’s plenty of parking. However, you may need to make an early start if you want to get a space at the height of summer. Add in the attractions of the nearby seaside town of Rye, and you have the recipe for the perfect East Sussex beach day!
Read our more detailed post about all the things to do in Camber Sands which includes lots of information about the parking at Camber which you’ll need to know.
Postcode: TN31 7RT
Lifeguards: Seasonal lifeguard service at Camber Central and Camber West beaches.
Parking: Paid car parking spaces are available near the beach, wheelchair-accessible but it’s complicated so see more here things to do in Camber Sands
Dog Friendly: Dogs on a lead are allowed on the beach, between May and September there are restrictions between Zones F & H.
Toilets: Public toilets available on Western Car Park, within 0.5 miles.
Café: Café/restaurant on the beach plus plenty of choice within one mile.
Winchelsea Beach
Although the village of Winchelsea Beach has been a seaside resort since the early 1900s, this East Sussex beach is much quieter than some of its more popular neighbours along the south coast. It makes Winchelsea Beach the perfect location for a relaxing day by the sea.
Winchelsea Beach has a gently sloping shingle beach with a large flat stretch of sand and mud that’s revealed at low tide. The beach faces Rye Bay and the estuary of the River Rother, and from the sea wall, you can enjoy views towards Camber Sands to the southeast and the red cliffs of Fairlight to the west.
The newly renovated beach café on Winchelsea Beach has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve lies east of the beach, and there are plenty of interesting things to do in Rye, just a short drive away.
Postcode: TN36 4NG
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Free parking with disabled spaces.
Dog Friendly: Dog restrictions apply, and a dog exercise area is available.
Toilets: Toilets are available at the café.
Café: Beach café at the west end of the beach.
Pett Level Beach
The peaceful beach at Pett Level is an ideal quiet spot for dog walking or beach combing. This small beach is mainly shingle and pebbles but a wide stretch of flat sand is exposed at low tide.
Pett Level is an excellent beach for escaping the crowds. The nearby beach café is open to members only, and its deck makes a lovely spot for a quiet drink. Club members also enjoy free parking.
There are some interesting historical features to be found at Pett Level. When the tide goes out, you can see 5000-year-old fossilised tree stumps at the southwestern end of the beach, Cliff End. During spring low tides, you can also spot the wreck of HMS Anne, a 17th-century warship.
You’ll also find the Pett Pools close to Pett Level beach. These four shallow artificial lakes attract a wide range of wetland birds, making them one of the best local spots for bird watching.
Postcode: TN35 4EH
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Small car park next to the beach, free parking available.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are prohibited from 1st May to 30th September.
Toilets: Public toilets next to the beach.
Café: The Coastguard Café is 10 minutes away by car in Fairlight.
Fairlight Glen
Fairlight Glen beach is a naturist beach that’s also popular with non-naturist visitors. It overlooks Covehurst Bay, around a mile east of Hastings.
Getting to Fairlight Glen beach will require some effort. You’ll need to take a 20-minute walk down a fairly steep path from the car park at the Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve Visitor Centre. The nature reserve is a Special Area of Conservation with various interesting bird species and wildflowers to spot, and there are toilets and a café at the Visitor Centre.
Once you arrive at the beach, you’ll find a stretch of sand and shingles in a suitably secluded location. You can swim here, but there are hidden rocks in the sea and no lifeguard patrol, so take care.
It’s also essential to keep an eye on the tide times while you’re at Fairlight Glen. There’s only one path back to the top of the red cliffs, and it would be easy to get cut off at high tide.
Be aware that the path down can sometimes be closed due to rock falls.
Postcode: TN35 4AD
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Several car parks within one mile.
Dog Friendly: Dogs allowed on the beach between 1st October and 30th April
Toilets: Toilets in the Visitor Centre, nearest public toilet is 1.5 miles away.
Café: No local facilities on the beach, but plenty nearby in Fairlight and Rye.
Hastings Beach
Although the historic seaside resort of Hastings has modernised over the years, you can still see flashes of its Victorian and Edwardian prime. The promenade alongside the beach is lined with grand Edwardian hotels and B&Bs with the newly restored Victorian pier stretching nearly 300m out to sea.
Like most Sussex beaches, Hastings Beach is mainly shingle. However, when the tide goes out, you’ll discover a wide stretch of sand that’s perfect for building sandcastles or playing beach games.
Compared to the popular seaside resorts along the south coast at Eastbourne and Brighton, Hastings doesn’t attract as many people. However, it’s an excellent option for a fun day out at the beach.
The beach is as good for watersports as it is for relaxation, and you’ll find plenty of parking, washrooms and change rooms. There’s a good choice of places to eat, both on the beach and in the town centre, and lots to keep the kids occupied, including mini-golf, Sea Life Centre, Shipwreck Museum and Smuggler’s Caves.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to Hastings Old Town during your visit. It’s my favourite part of Hastings full of old fisherman’s cottages, the net huts and Hastings Contemorary for art lovers.
Postcode: TN34 1PF
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service provided.
Parking: Plenty of car parking on and near the beach.
Dog Friendly: The beach is cleaned daily during summer, and there are dog-free zones.
Toilets: Public toilets available on and near the beach.
Café: Plenty of options on the beach and in Hastings.
St Leonards on Sea Beach
Carry on westwards past Hastings Beach pier, and you’ll soon reach the popular stretch of sand and shingles at St Leonards on Sea Beach. It’s less well-known than some of the other spots on this list, but there’s much to love about this low-key Sussex beach.
The promenade offers a good choice of places to eat, there’s plenty of reasonably priced parking, and RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach between May and September.
St Leonards On Sea is a lovely beach for dog walking, and there are lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. Don’t forget to take your water shoes or flip-flops to protect your feet from the pebbles!
Postcode: TN38 0BH
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service provided.
Parking: Wheelchair-accessible car park next to the beach, free parking available.
Dog Friendly: Generally dog-friendly but restrictions are in place between groynes 32 and 42 from 1st May to 30th September.
Toilets: Public toilets available on the beach.
Café: A good selection of places to eat along the promenade.
Bexhill Beach
Bexhill-on-Sea has been a popular seaside resort since the start of the 20th century, thanks to its location between Eastbourne and Hastings. Today, it still makes an excellent location for a family day by the sea.
Like many Sussex beaches, the predominantly shingle beach is held in place with wooden groynes, and you may spot a stretch of sand at low tide. The clean, shallow water is generally safe for swimming and good for various watersports. You can easily rent equipment at the beach or book lessons if required.
Kids will love looking for dinosoar footprints which run all the way from Bexhill Beach along the to coast to the beach at Pett Level. You’ll have to wait until low tide but footprints can be seen on the beach opposite the Sackville as long as storms haven’t covered them in shingle.
A series of seven footprints were uncovered after spring storms in March 2024 about 100 metres along from the Sackville prints.
If you prefer a more relaxed day by the seaside, beach huts and deckchairs are also available to hire at Bexhill Beach.
Ample parking, washroom facilities and a promenade lined with food and drink options make Bexhill Beach a great choice for a Sussex beach day.
Postcode: TN39 3DX
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Free and paid parking including disabled spaces next to the beach and on nearby roads.
Dog Friendly: Dog restrictions apply between 1st May and 30th September
Toilets: Several public toilets along the seafront.
Café: Plenty of options on the beach and along the seafront.
Pevensey Bay
The shingle beach at Pevensey Bay is famous as the spot where William the Conqueror landed before the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Once a busy port, Pevensey Bay beach is now much quieter than most beaches in south east England.
This makes it the perfect place for relaxing with a picnic or enjoying a stroll along the beach or promenade, as well as more energetic activities like jet-skiing, windsurfing and kayaking. You can also take a walk to the nearby Pevensey Levels for bird-watching, or pop to the nearby pub for lunch.
Unlike many East Sussex beaches, there are no cliffs here and you can get a great view along the Sussex coastline and over the English Channel. Pevensey castle is nearby if you want to pair your visit with some history.
Postcode: BN24 6HX
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Pay-and-display parking, including disabled spaces next to the beach.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are welcome.
Toilets: Public toilets near the seafront and in town.
Café: Two restaurants overlooking the beach.
Eastbourne Grand Parade
Grand Parade Beach is Eastbourne’s main beach, running southwards from Eastbourne Pier to Wish Tower. It’s an excellent example of a traditional British seaside resort, with reminders of its Victorian heritage everywhere you look.
Like most Sussex beaches, Eastbourne is a long stretch of shingle and pebble beach. It’s an excellent spot for water activities, from swimming and surfing to kayaking and paddleboarding. The beach has great facilities, including showers and beach hut hire.
A long promenade lined with Victorian hotels runs alongside the beach. There are plenty of vintage features, such as the bandstand and Floral Carpet Gardens.
One of the main features of Eastbourne Grand Parade Beach is its impressive 300-metre-long pier, complete with a pavilion at the seaward end. Since it opened in 1870, the pier has been buffeted by storms, WWII bombs and, more recently, fire.
Thankfully, it has now been restored to its full glory. It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing stroll, call into the traditional fish and chip shop or visit the Victorian Tea Rooms. Look out for the Victorian Bandstand on the prom.
If you’re planning on spending a day, or more, in the town check out this excellent article on what to see and do in Eastbourne. There’s a lot to do and it’s once of my favourite local towns for a day out.
Postcode: BN21 4BY
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service provided.
Parking: Free parking available near the beach.
Dog Friendly: Restrictions in place on the beach and promenade between 1st May and 30th September.
Toilets: Public toilets available along Grand Parade, including a Changing Places toilet.
Café: Beach café near the pier and plenty of options in the town centre.
Western Parade, Eastbourne
As the name suggests, Western Parade lies west of Eastbourne’s main beach. It looks along the coast towards the UK’s highest chalk sea cliff, Beachy Head, in the south-west.
The beach at Western Parade is mainly shingle with a few patches of sand and rock pools at low tide. Behind the beach, you’ll find a wide promenade and gardens, and there are good facilities both here and on Eastbourne’s main beach.
Western Parade is popular with families and watersports enthusiasts but tends to be quieter than the more central Eastbourne beaches. This is a perfect beach for a relaxing day by the sea, but you’re just a short walk away from all the fun things to do in Eastbourne!
Western Lawns which site between the promenade and the road are the venue for many of the events that take place over the summer.
There’s usually a big wheel on the lawns. Wish Tower and the Lifeboat Museum are nearby as is Bistrot Pierre with far-reaching views out to sea from it’s sheltered terrace.
You could also drop by the Grand Hotel Eastbourne, which really is very grand indeed, for afternoon tea.
Postcode: BN20 7PA
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service provided.
Parking: Free car parking (including disabled spaces) is available at this beach.
Dog Friendly: Restrictions in place between 1st May and 30th September.
Toilets: Public toilets available on Grand Parade Beach.
Café: Beach café plus plenty of options in Eastbourne.
Holywell Beach, Eastbourne
At the western end of Eastbourne promenade, you’ll find a small shingle beach that recalls the heady days of pre-war seaside resorts.
Holywell was a popular seaside retreat in the early 20th century and counted King George V and Queen Mary among its visitors. The name is thought to come from a mineral water spring in the town, which was believed to have restorative powers.
This quiet Sussex beach has a row of pretty blue and white beach huts, one of which was used by the King and Queen during their visit. During the summer, you can hire a beach hut for a day or week, but demand is high, so book early.
The beach backs onto Italian formal gardens, formerly known as Holywell Retreat, where you’ll also find Holywell Tea Chalet. At the western end of Holywell Beach, you can follow the South Downs Coastal Path along the cliff tops to Beachy Head. If you’ve got the energy you can hike as far as Seven Sister Cliffs and Cuckmere Haven.
Postcode: BN20 7XN
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: On-street parking only.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are welcome on the beach but must be kept under control.
Toilets: Public toilets within a short walk.
Café: Café overlooking the beach plus more options within 0.5 miles.
Birling Gap Beach
Although Birling Gap Beach is often counted as one of Eastbourne’s beaches, it’s actually quite a distance from Eastbourne.
This Sussex beach is mainly pebbles, but you can find the odd patch of sand plus several rocky areas perfect for rock pooling. The waters here are ideal for water sports like surfing or kayaking, and the beach is also a popular kitesurfing and fossil hunting spot. Part of the beach to the right (west) of the steps is used by naturists. Birling Gap is maintained by the National Trust. On the cliff top overlooking the beach, you’ll find the National Trust car park, bookshop and café serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. You can also see Beachy Head, which is around a mile eastward.
To reach Birling Gap Beach, you’ll need to descend a tower staircase from the cliff top. The soft chalk cliffs here are pristine white due to constant erosion, so take care both on the clifftop and at the base of the cliffs.
Postcode: BN20 0AB
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: Plenty of car parking, free for NT members.
Dog Friendly: Dogs on lead are allowed on the beach and in the shop and café.
Toilets: Public toilets available on-site.
Café: NT Café on-site.
Cuckmere Haven Beach
If you want to enjoy the seaside without the crowds, Cuckmere Haven is your perfect East Sussex beach. It’s an excellent spot after a hike on Seven Sisters or for fishing, spotting local wildlife and relaxing in the peaceful surroundings.
This pet-friendly beach lies at the mouth of the Cuckmere River and looks out towards the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. The four coastguard cottages that overlook the beach were built in 1822 but are now threatened by erosion as the cliff edge grows ever closer.
You can walk down either side of the Cuckmere river to reach the beach but the river runs straight through the middle so you won’t be able to cross unless it’s very low tide. The river is very fast-flowing with slippery rocks so you’ll need to take care. I’ve crossed it at very low tide and it’s not easy.
There are two pay-and-display car parks about 40-minute’s walk from the beach at Seven Sisters visitor centre. Both are locked overnight. You could also walk from Seaford about 50-minutes away where there’s free seafront parking. It’s a beautiful hike over the cliffs.
Postcode: BN25 4AR
Lifeguards: No lifeguard service.
Parking: The car park is at the country park centre near the Cuckmere Inn, 1.5 miles away.
Dog Friendly: Dog walkers are allowed on the beach without restrictions.
Toilets: Nearest toilets are at the Cuckmere Inn and Seven Sister’s Visitor Centre.
Café: The Cuckmere Inn is the nearest option with a cafe at Seven Sister’s visitor centre and plenty of choice in nearby Seaford.
Find out how to see Seaford Beach and Seven Sisters Cliffs on a boat trip from Seaford Harbour.
Seaford Beach
Despite the lack of sand, Seaford Beach is a great beach for a family day out at the seaside.
This wide shingle beach stretches nearly four miles between Newhaven Harbour and Seaford Head, so there’s plenty of space for everyone and it feels more laid-back than some of the more crowded Sussex beaches.
Lifeguards patrol the beach on weekends during the school summer holiday. Combined with the great beach cafés and ample free parking, this all makes Seaford an excellent family beach.
Seaford Beach is a great spot for swimming, fishing and watersports, and some of the brightly coloured beach huts are available for hire. You can also watch the cross channel ferries as they head out from Newhaven to Dieppe.
A large groyne and jetty divides the main Seaford Beach from a smaller shingle beach at Seaford Head, overlooked by the white cliffs of Seaford Head Nature Reserve. As with Birling Gap, the white chalk cliffs here are constantly eroding, so there’s a risk of rocks falling.
Postcode: BN25 2QX
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service is provided on summer weekends.
Parking: Free parking for up to 200 cars next to the beach.
Dog Friendly: The beach is mainly dog-friendly although dogs are banned on the central section of the beach between May and September.
Toilets: Facilities available in the café plus public toilets within 0.5 miles.
Café: Beach café plus a good selection in Seaford.
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the UK. Almost 50 miles away from the UK’s capital city, it’s often known as London by the sea. It’s easily accessible from London and gets very busy on bank holiday weekends.
This pebbly beach has Blue Flag certification, and although the water can be chilly, it’s a popular spot for swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, SUP paddleboarding and sailing. If that sounds too energetic, just hire a deck chair, grab an ice cream and watch the goings-on in the sunshine.
Brighton Beach is close to Brighton’s top attractions, like the Palace Pier, Brighton i360 and the Sea Life Centre. The buzzy promenade is a great spot for people-watching, and you can often spot street performers here and in the Fishing Quarter.
There’s an official naturist beach at the east end of Brighton Beach. If you want to avoid that, stick to the west end.
Postcode: BN2 1TW
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service provided.
Parking: Plentiful parking, ms.
Dog Friendly: Dogs restricted.
Toilets: Plenty of public toilets available along the seafront.
Café: Several beach cafés and plenty of choice in Brighton.
Check out this post if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Brighton?
Hove Beach
Just along the prom from Brighton Beach but quieter than its more famous neighbour you’ll find Hove Beach. It’s mostly shingle but as with most East Sussex beaches you’ll find stretches of sand at low tide. The long esplanade backs onto wide lawns where events often take place. The lawns are a popular spot for casual football, open-air keep fit classes and big group picnics.
Hove is a lovely beach for relaxing or enjoying a picnic, and the clear, calm waters make it popular for swimming and watersports. Brighton and Hove’s colourful beach huts line the promenade.
Rockwater is a trendy bar and restaurant overlooking the beach.
There are plenty of food vendors nearby and a good range of fun activities to keep you occupied. Choose from tennis, crazy golf, bowling, and an amusement arcade.
You could head to nearby Hove Lagoon, which has a skate park, outdoor swimming pool, and large children’s play area. You’ll also find Fat Boy Slim’s Big Beach Bar at the Lagoon.
And, of course, all of Brighton’s attractions and facilities are just a mile away.
Postcode: BN3 2WJ
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service provided.
Parking: Plenty of car parking within 1 mile of the beach.
Dog Friendly: Dogs are banned between May and September
Toilets: Public toilets within 0.5 miles of the beach.
Café: Beach café and a good selection within 0.5 miles of the beach.
So that’s our pick of the best beaches in East Sussex. Did we miss out your favourite? Which East Sussex beach would you add to our list?
Written by Suzanne, a Sussex-based travel writer who has lived in the county all her life and shares carefully curated guides to places she knows and loves.
Suzanne is also travel writer and content creator at top travel blog The Travelbunny which she founded in 2011.