The best UK beach for spring revealed — and it’s less than two hours from London

Your new favourite beach unlocked (Picture: Getty Images) Did you know that the UK is home to around 1,500 beaches, spanning across 11,000 miles of coastline? From sandy bays in Cornwall to rocky coves in Scotland, Blighty boasts some stunning seaside gems. But as we edge into the warmer months, there’s one beach in particular that, apparently, is the place to be. GO Outdoors has named Cuckmere Haven, a quiet spot in East Sussex, as the best to visit for spring in a new national survey. Along with analysing average temperatures, rainfall and, of course, sunshine hours, the brand scoured the internet for the best Google reviews. And overall, Cuckmere Haven — which is part of the iconic Seven Sisters Country Park — scored a cool 9.60 out of 10, leaving little room for improvement. Best of Metro Deals Get exclusive discounts with Metro Deals – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off. Get deal now Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages. Get deal now Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%. Get deal now The company said: ‘Boasting an average of 7.8 hours of daily spring sunshine and just 52mm of rainfall per month, this East Sussex gem enjoys pleasantly mild spring weather. ‘Visitors can take in breathtaking views of the Seven Sisters, enjoy scenic walks along the Cuckmere River and admire the coastguard cottages, which have all contributed to the beach’s impressive Google review score of 4.8 out of 5.’ Already planning your trip? Here’s everything you need to know about Cuckmere Haven, which, conveniently, is under two hours from London. An unspoiled landscape Unlike the nearby Brighton beach — famous for its historic pier, buzzy bars, and hordes of students drinking tinnies on the pebbles (I’ll admit, I was once one of them) — Cuckmere Haven is a much quieter affair. Cuckmere Beach is worlds away from the nearby busy Brighton (Picture: Getty Images) Having visited many times during those years, I can confirm this. The undeveloped stretch of coast sits directly below the Seven Sisters chalk sea cliffs, where the atmosphere is almost Jurassic. And on a good day, the turquoise ocean glistens in the sunshine. The beach is part of the 280-hectare country park, which also features sprawling grasslands, a meandering river (Cuckmere Haven is actually where the River Cuckmere meets the English Channel) and breathtaking viewpoints galore. Fun fact: The ‘Seven Sisters’ are actually cliffs and crests, with these said viewpoints called Haven Brow, Short Brow, Rough Brow, Brass Point, Flagstaff Brow, Flat Hill, and Baily’s Hill. But the beach itself, like the majority of the Sussex coast, is pebbly — as such, it’s less popular with sunbathers and more of a nature lover’s paradise, perfect for a seaside walk. Cuckmere Haven is just two hours from London (Picture: Getty Images) As the only river mouth in Sussex that has avoided being turned into a port or harbour, nature and wildlife have been able to flourish here. During low tide, look out for a rare chalk reef. This 100-million-year-old formation is home to diverse marine wildlife, including rare short-snouted seahorses, native oysters and blue mussels. Given it’s such a unique habitat, and place of environmental importance,the beach has even now been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).  Steeped in history In terms of human history, Cuckmere Haven was famous in the 18th and 19th centuries as a smuggling hub. During those years, the beach was a popular landing spot for these bootleggers, who would ship contraband up the river to Alfriston, a small village in East Sussex. An extract from a letter, dated Sept 18th 1783, illustrates: ‘On Tuesday evening, between two and three hundred smugglers on horseback came to Cookmere (sic) and received various kinds of goods from the boats, ’til at last the whole number were laden, when, in defiance of the King’s officers, they went their way in great triumph. ‘About a week before this, upwards of three hundred attended at the same place; and though the sea ran mountains high, the daring men in the cutters made good the landing.’ It was once a haven for smuggling (Picture: Getty Images) Later, the beach became a major World War II strategic coastal defence point, designated as a potential German invasion site (Operation Sea Lion). Today, you can see surviving concrete blocks, known as ‘dragon’s teeth.’ And if you think you might have seen Cuckmere Haven before, that’s because the area has featured in some pretty famous movies, from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to Atonement. An adventurer’s dream Since Cuckmere Haven is just one part of a country park, once you’ve explored the beach, you can easily venture onto one of the footpaths or trails. The most famous hike is the South Downs Way National Trail, which spans 100 miles, from Eastbourne to Winchester. The Seven Sisters stretch is where you’ll find magnificent views of Cuckmere Haven, Belle Tout and Beachy Head lighthouses. Spend your afternoon paddleboarding along the Cuckmere River (Picture: Getty Images) Adrenaline junkies, you can take to the river on kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards — a super popular activity during the warmer months. Buzz Active Cuckmere has qualified instructors if you fancy taking a session with other travellers. Or, if you want to be on your own and at one with the water, hire a single kayak or a stand-up paddleboard for £18 an hour. How to get to Cuckmere Haven from London Cuckmere Haven is relatively easy to reach from London. I stayed in the London Hilton's £1,800-a-night McLaren Suite — is it worth the hype? I stayed in the UK's best luxury family hotel with childcare while you enjoy the spa I've travelled solo for 21 years, here are my are my favourite places to visit alone If you’re using public transport, take the train from London Victoria to Eastbourne. The direct journey takes around one hour and 23 minutes, with ticket prices costing between £12.50 and £15 one-way. Then, take the Brighton & Hove Coaster 12, 12A, or 13X bus from Eastbourne town centre to the Seven Sisters Country Park. Buses run regularly — roughly every 10 to 15 minutes — and the 15 to 30-minute journey costs around £4. The top 10 best beaches for spring, according to GO Outdoors • Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex, England (9.6/10) • Southwold Beach, Suffolk, England (8.68/10) • Druridge Bay Beach, Northumberland, England (8.53/10) • Pentle Bay, Tresco, England (8.53/10) • Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head, England (8.48/10) • Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, England (8.33/10) • Rhossili Bay Beach, Gower, Wales (8.23/10) • Barafundle Bay Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales (8.22/10) • Camber Sands, East Sussex, England (8.18/10) • Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall, England (8.17/10) Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk. Arrow MORE: I stayed in the London Hilton’s £1,800-a-night McLaren Suite — is it worth the hype? 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