Hidden Gem Seaside Towns To Visit In South East England

As the weather warms up and the spring flowers are in full bloom, it’s the perfect excuse to visit the seaside and beat the crowds. If you are looking for a place by the sea to explore that is slightly off the beaten path this year, here are a few top suggestions in south east England. 

Get a group together and arrange a party bus hire so that you can have a stress-free journey to one (or all) of these cool coastal towns with a difference. 

Herne Bay, Kent

Herne Bay is famed for the colourful rows of beach huts that line the long shingle beach, and the Georgian clock tower on the promenade. Traditionally, the town has been overlooked in favour of its bigger neighbour, Whitstable, but it has been enjoying a revival in recent years. 

The Victorian pier has been restored, and has traditional family fun amusements such as fairground horses, a helter skelter, retail huts, and fast food stalls. The Walthrop Gardens are in bloom at this time of year, and provide enjoyable views over the seascape. From here, you can walk along the coastline or hunt fossils on the beach. 

There’s also a Seaside Museum where you can view fossils found in the local area, and learn more about the history of the town. The remains of a 3rd century Roman fort, Reculver Towers, look over the beach and are well worth a visit. The site is currently undergoing a major restoration programme run by English Heritage. 

Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Ventnor is an attractive seaside town on the southern most point of the Isle of Wight, known for its pleasant microclimate, Art Deco Winter Gardens and giant paddling pool on the seafront. It was a fashionable seaside resort in the Victorian era, and among its fans were Charles Dickens, Karl Marx, and Winston Churchill. 

It was also a destination for the health-conscious, as the mild clean air was a relief from the smog-choked cities of the Industrial Revolution. Infectious diseases that affected the lungs such as tuberculosis were also rife, and those who could afford it visited the town for recuperation.  

In fact, between 1869 – 1964, Ventnor was home to The Royal National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest. Today, the site of the former hospital is occupied by the Ventnor Botanic Gardens, which grows exotic specimens from around the world in the mild and almost frost-free climate. 

As you wander around the gardens, you’ll find balmy palm trees, magnificent magnolias, and from May to June there is a dazzling display of large sky-blue echiums, which are native to the laurel forests on the Canary Isles and Madeira. There’s also a grand collection of rare half-hardy trees and shrubs. 

Ventnor is also famed for its homegrown Fringe festival, which takes place every July over ten days. The festival showcases the best in new music, comedy, circus, theatre, cabaret and more, which take place in pop-up venues and bars throughout the town.  

Lymington, Hampshire

Lymington tends to fall under the radar on the tourist map, but it is a beautiful and vibrant coastal town with a thriving harbour and is close to the New Forest National Park. The cobblestone High Street contains a picturesque mixture of Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco shop front, with some much Medieval architecture as well.

You’ll find an eclectic range of high quality independent shops and food outlets, and on Saturdays there’s a traditional street market with over a hundred stalls selling local produce, arts and crafts, antiques and much more. There’s also a museum, art gallery, and a 13th century Grade II listed church.

Hunstanton, Norfolk

Hunstanton on the Norfolk coast is famed for its unique striped cliffs and wide open horizons that frequently display magnificent sunsets. It was purposely built as a Victorian seaside resort, and it remains an enjoyable place to visit for the whole family. There’s a long sandy beach, peaceful Esplanade Gardens, and a self-guided Horticultural Trail.