The sun is (sometimes) shining, and sand is returning to London's streets in the form of pop-up urban beaches. Here's where to find them in summer 2022.
The Beach at Brent Cross 2022
Your best option if you've got kiddies in tow, The Beach at Brent Cross is one of London's biggest — and therefore busiest — urban beaches. It pops up in a car park at the north west London shopping centre, bringing with it rides for adults and kids, family-friendly puppet and magic shows, and food and drink stalls. There's a paddling pool and splash areas for cooling off (capacity is limited so there may be a queue during busy times, with your dip limited to 10 minutes). Look out for special events including magic and puppet shows.
There's a bar at the beach, and a limited choice of meals such as fish and chips, burgers and hot dogs. You can bring your own food in, either from the cafes and restaurants in the shopping centre, or from home — but no glassware, knives or alcohol.
The Beach at Brent Cross. Entry £3.50 in advance of £4 on the day, extra charge for rides etc. Open 14 May-4 September 2022.
Fulham Beach Club at Neverland 2022
Outdoor riverside bar Neverland once again hosts the Fulham Beach Club, a sand-sprinkled bar and party venue with beach huts, sofas, day beds, cabanas and beach bubbles (igloos, but make it summer) to hire. There's a fully stocked bar where you can buy drinks, and a kitchen serving street food — pizzas, burgers, wings and the like — and you can order from your phone and have it delivered to your table. The venue is strictly 18+ after 5pm.
Fulham Beach Club at Neverland. General entry from £5, extra charge for beach huts, sofas and bubbles. Open 20 May-18 September 2022.
London Secret Beach at London Secret Garden
London Secret Garden is a restaurant and bar tucked away behind the buildings of the Cromwell Road. In winter, its dining igloos attract the crowds, but in summer it's all about the beach.
You need to book your spot in advance to visit this exclusive beach, with consists of imported sand festooned with sun loungers, deckchairs and rattan sofas.
The food menu contains some of the fanciest beach snacks we've ever known — think salt and pepper squid with chilli jam, and duck spring rolls with plum sauce, a far cry from the crab sticks of our misspent youth. Sharing platters are also available, as are more substantial meals such as burgers, salads and club sandwiches. Wines, beers, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks are all available too.
The beach at London Secret Garden. Minimum spend of £20 per person — or you can book prosecco afternoon tea on the beach for £45 per person.
The Beach Bar at The Montague on the Gardens
4* hotel The Montague on the Gardens near Russell Square has its own pop-up beach bar, but it's all rather exclusive. Unless you're a hotel resident, you can only get access by making a beach party booking for a minimum of 10 people, with various hospitality and catering parties available. Great if you're looking to hold a summer party or get together, but not the one if you're looking for somewhere for a casual catch-up with a couple of mates.
The Beach Bar at The Montague. Price details available on booking. Open May-September 2022
London's year-round beach: Ruislip Lido
No need to wait for these pop-up beaches to roll out their sun loungers. Ruislip Lido in Hillingdon has a natural beach year-round, as long as you don't mind sharing sand space with swans. There's even a miniature railway to make getting there that bit more fun. Be aware though, that swimming in the lake is always prohibited.
The Thames Foreshore
And no list of London beaches would be complete without the natural ones, along the Thames foreshore. Well, we say 'natural', but some of the choicer spots have clearly had sand imported over the years. Stairs down to the foreshore can be found all along the South Bank. One notable area is close to Gabriel's Wharf where a particularly sandy patch often attracts sand sculptors.
Another excellent patch is the beach in front of Tate Modern. This one is more pebbly, but is a fascinating place to explore with children. Always be careful when on the foreshore for sharp flotsam and jetsam, and beware of rising tides.
Looking for the real seaside? Check out our guides for the best real sand you can get to on a day trip from London:
