England's South Coast

The South Coast is officially the sunniest place in the UK, welcoming over 1900 hours of sunshine a year, and with over 400 miles of coastline to discover it makes for a perfect staycation destination. Stretching from chalky white cliffs, sandy beaches, shingle bays of the Kent coastline, through to the sweeping sandy bays, sheltered beaches and natural spits of Bouremouth, Christchurch and Poole in Dorset, the South Coast has something for everyone.

Home to the iconic white cliffs of Dover, the beautiful Seven Sisters and Beachy Head near Eastbourne, the famous Needles on the Isle of Wight, the chalk stalks of Botany Bay, Thanet and renowned Old Harry's Rocks in Dorset, the South Coast also offers an array of natural beauty spots to enjoy.  

Delve into the South Coast's rich history and heritage with a visit to one of the many castles and forts littered along its coastline.  These once defended the shores from invading forces and include the famous Dover Castle with its underground tunnels and hidden rooms, Pevensey Castle where William the Conqueror first arrived into England in 1066, and Southsea Castle, Portsmouth where Henry VIII is said to watch the Mary Rose sink into The Solent.

The South Coast is also home to many man made iconic locations too, like Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth, offering stunning views over the city and the Isle of Wight and the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, with its unique architechture and elobrate internal decoration.  Don't forget to visit one of the many piers that litter our coastline from the pleasure pier in Worthing which opened in 1862 or Hastings Pier which beat five other buildings to the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize.

The South Coast also plays host to some of the UK’s most legendary music and arts festivals and has a rich maritime heritage unrivalled anywhere in the world. The rolling countryside and magnificent coastline offers great opportunities for walking and cycling enthusiasts. 

• Best places to visit on the Kent and Sussex Coast
• Best places to visit on the Hampshire and Dorset Coast

South Coast Maps

Maps of places to visit in South Coast counties and their towns and villages can be found on our dedicated map pages for Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex and Kent or take a look at our touring map highlighting many of the tourism hotspots. 

Beach Holidays

England’s South Coast is the perfect choice for a relaxing short break or a longer touring holiday, not to mention a large choice of blue flag beaches, rewarded for their cleanliness. With an array of accommodation options to suit all budgets you’ll be sure to find a hotel, B&B, self-catering apartment or camping/touring park to suit your needs.

You will be sure to create memories that last a life-time during a holiday on England’s South Coast.