Thousands of people are expected to flock to Brighton this bank holiday weekend to soak up the last of the summer sun.
Although Brighton has one of the UK’s most famous beaches, the rest of Sussex is also home to many fabulous beaches that are often overlooked by visitors to the coast.
From shingle beaches to windswept ones, here are nine of Sussex’s best beaches outside of Brighton, ranked by The Beach Guide, as reported by The Resident.
Camber Sands beach
One of the few sandy beaches in the county, Camber Sands’ shoreline lies behind windswept sand dunes.
Close to the small town of Rye and to where the River Rother runs into the sea, Camber Sands is a long stretch of beach, perfect for the bank holiday weekend and a great spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing.
Birling Gap beach
With the dramatic chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters looming nearby, Birling Gap Beach is a long stretch of untampered shoreline.
Located between Eastbourne and Brighton, the beach is made up of pebbles with some sandy patches. One TripAdvisor review said that the cliffs there are more spectacular than the White Cliffs of Dover.
Cuckmere Haven beach
Located to the east of Seven Sisters, this quiet beach has the most picturesque background.
The pebbly beach and its idyllic countryside charm has been used as a location for films including Harry Potter and Robin Hood. The beach also has a rich history, being commonly used by smugglers in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Bexhill beach
Adorned with quaint beach huts, the Victorian-era seaside resort of Bexhill has a long promenade and is a secret gem of Sussex.
The shingle beach is a great choice for families, with a promenade dotted with several cafes and ice cream parlours.
Normans Bay
This coastal fishing hamlet between Eastbourne and Bexhill offers a great spot for campers with a ground nearby.
The beach is a perfect spot for kite-flying and, depending on the weather, Beachy Head’s chalky cliffs are within view.
However, caution is advised - there are no lifeguards and signs warning of sinking sand, so stick to the shingle.
Pevensey Bay
Near Eastbourne, Pevensey Bay was where William the Conqueror landed in 1066 before the Battle of Hastings. The middle-aged port town is now a fairly quiet beach with views across the Channel.
One Tripadvisor reviewer described the beach as “serene” and a “lovely pebbly beach to visit any time of the day and evening”.
Seaford Bay
Found between Seaford Head and Newhaven, Seaford Bay is a pebble beach with ample parking and lifeguards who patrol the beach on weekends during the high season.
The beach is said to be quiet with deck chairs and a beachside kiosk, selling hot drinks, toasties and cakes.
Cooden beach
A quintessential Sussex beach popular with windsurfers and kite-surfers, this beach is very easy to get to with its own beachside train station.
Located at the western end of Bexhill, visitors have said the beach is a great place for walking and catching some sea air.
Fairlight Glen beach
On the way to Hastings is this nudist beach, frequented by naturists and non-naturists alike.
More of a beach for working on a summer tan, the beach has no lifeguard and rocks are submerged in the surf.
One reviewer on a naturist website described the beach as “amazing” and said: “Absolutely relaxing and joyful - real mix of people from the usual 60+ and at least as many 20-50-year-olds in couples and singles, including single women.”
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