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17 APRIL 2023 Seaside calling!
Take a trip to one of these gorgeous beach towns, all located within two hours of London. Words: Kayleigh Rattle
BOTANY BAY, MARGATE / GETTY
For art-lovers With its throngs of independent galleries, shops, buzzy cafes and restaurants, Margate, Kent, is often dubbed ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea’. Arty types and modern art enthusiasts will love the Turner Contemporary gallery, designed by architect David Chipperfield, and the Carl Freedman Gallery. Filled with
vintage rides, including the UK’s oldest wooden roller coaster, Dreamland amusement park is also a must-visit, as are Margate’s underground, shell-filled grottos. Te rosy sunsets are particularly excellent here, too. How to get there: Hop on a train at London St Pancras — the journey time is approximately 90 minutes.
For foodies Mersea Island, attached to mainland Essex by a causeway, is a haven for seafood-lovers, with its oysters that have been harvested in and around Mersea Island ever since Roman times. Today, you’ll find both rock and native oysters, and some fantastic waterside locations in which to eat them, including foodie institution Te Company Shed. On West Mersea, stroll along the beach and marvel at the pretty pastel-hued huts. East Mersea’s Cudmore Grove Country Park, meanwhile, is a must for families, with a wooden play park and splendid views of the Colne and Blackwater estuaries. How to get there: Catch a train from London Liverpool Street to Colchester Station in under an hour. From there, take a taxi, which is approximately a 20-minutes drive.
For families With its fishing heritage, cobbled streets and family-friendly pubs, Leigh-on-Sea in Essex is nothing short of charming. Te promenade that connects Old Leigh to Southend-on-Sea has no shortage of beach spots to pitch up at. Stroll along the prom towards Southend and you’ll find a retro diner serving
MERSEA ISLAND, ESSEX/GETTY
locally made Rossi’s ice cream, an aquarium, theme park, arcades and Southend’s iconic pier. Fancy a spot of retail therapy? Leigh-on-Sea’s Leigh Road and Te Broadway are packed with independent shops and boutiques as well as cafes for some sustenance. Chalkwell Park, at the end of Leigh Road, is ideal for little ones needing to let off steam. How to get there: Te train ride from Fenchurch Street takes approximately one hour.
For dog owners Filled with dog-friendly pubs and places to stay, Rye, in East Sussex, is an ideal base for those looking for a pet-friendly escape from the city. Camber Sands, a five-mile sandy beach that’s open to dogs all year round, is within walking distance, while there are plenty of grassy dunes for them to explore. Just a stone’s throw from the beach is Te Gallivant, a sumptuous beach-chic, dog-friendly hotel and restaurant. How to get there: Head to Rye from London St Pancras with Southern Railways. It’ll take just over an hour, with one change at Ashford International.
Chelsea Revellers at The Sloane Club and Sloane Place
Te Sloane Club, founded originally in 1922 by Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Helena, was originally the Service Women’s Club, a haven for women in the forces. With men not allowed entry until the 1960s, Te Sloane Club was ahead of its time in honouring spaces for empowered women
Te Sloane Club today carries the baton of this heritage by being a space where the modern-day members, both men and women, meet and come together with a shared atti- tude of embracing life in all its glory. Work in Te Chelsea, a serviced co-working space filled with light by day and a buzzy bar with show- stopping cocktails by night. Or enjoy gastronomic delights in Te Garden Room and hand-selected wines in Te Bar, before relaxing in one of the chic bedrooms at the end of the day. Expect spectacular Asian-Euro- pean dishes, delicious cocktails and an intriguing event schedule. Even better — the club is dog-friendly in all areas, throughout the day, making it the perfect members’ club for fur parents.
Sloane
Next door is Sloane Place, Te Club’s
sister property, a
boutique hotel in Chelsea with 27 bedrooms and a delightful restau- rant that offers relaxed all-day dining alongside neighbourhood hospitality, which is headed up by executive chef, Bernhard Mayer. Sloane Place is also home to Te Hideaway, an art-deco style modern speakeasy that hosts weekly live music and DJ nights. For al fresco dining and drinking,
Londoners in the know head to Te Roof Terrace, at Te Sloane Club, where revellers will be celebrating the Coronation with a selection of special themed dishes. Sloane Place and Te Sloane Club will be serving one of Te King’s favourite dishes – a truffle porcini mushroom risotto with wild garlic from 6th to 8th May.
Great British Days Out 19
For thrill-seekers To the east of Portsmouth lies Hayling Island, an ideal location for action seekers and sports lovers. You’ll find various windsurfing and kitesurfing schools where you can hone your skills, while the island is also a popular destination for sailing. Hayling Island’s five-mile, Blue Flag-awarded stretch of beach is an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of nearby Portsmouth while for history buffs, there’s an insightful Second World War heritage trail to discover. Finally, for views over Portsmouth, walk or cycle the Hayling Billy Trail, a former railway line. How to get there: Trains run every 20 minutes between London Waterloo and Havant and take approximately 75-90 minutes. From Havant, take a bus or taxi (approximately 20 minutes).
SEAFRONT HARBOUR, OLD LEIGH, LEIGH-ON-SEA / GETTY
sloaneclub.co.uk / 020 7730 9131 -
sloaneplace.com / 020 3928 0700
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