You can visit this award-winning sandy beach that is popular for families and water sports and it’s just a train ride from London.

The Times recently released its list of top 50 beaches to visit in the UK and Westbrook Bay in the seaside town of Margate in Kent was named as one of the UK’s best.

Located on the Kent coast just 1 hour 30 minutes by car or 1 hour 40 minutes by train from south east London, this sandy beach has plenty to do for people looking for a day out this summer.

Westbrook Bay in Margate was named as one of the UK’s best beaches by The Times.Westbrook Bay was named as one of the UK’s best beaches by The Times. (Image: Tourism @ Thanet District Council)

According to The Times, Westbrook Bay made the list on account of its good water quality and its “shanty of beach huts”, as well as its 18-hole adventure golf course you can do for just £6.50.

This dog-friendly beach with disabled access, and convenient travel links to London from nearby Margate station, is ideal for anyone looking for a sandy beach within close distance of London.

Westbrook Bay is known for being one of the “quieter” beaches close to the town of Margate, within 30 minutes walk from the town centre.

Westbrook Bay made the list on account of its good water quality and its “shanty of beach huts”.Westbrook Bay made the list on account of its good water quality and its “shanty of beach huts”. (Image: Tourism @ Thanet District Council)

This sandy beach also has the nostalgic elements, from pastel coloured beach huts to sandy shores, perfect for buckets and spades and sandcastle making.

With its designated water ski area, the beach also makes for a great spot for swimming, wind surfing and water skiing.

But it’s not just The Times that have rated this beach as a good place to visit, the beach was also awarded a Blue Flag and this year was named a winner of the Seaside Award.

The beach also makes for a great spot for swimming, wind surfing and water skiing.The beach also makes for a great spot for swimming, wind surfing and water skiing. (Image: Tourism @ Thanet District Council)

But if you get bored of the beach, the nearby town of Margate has lots on offer, from the popular Turner Art Gallery to a visit to the stunning shell grotto – a 70-metre network of tunnels made up of 4.6 million shells.

For the children you can also visit the popular Dreamland amusement park with its colourful nostalgic fairground rides, along with a line-up of musical acts in the evenings for the grown-ups.

If you get hungry, Margate is also home to some rather unusual eating spots, from breakfast at the Bus Café - a vintage double-decker bus on the promenade - to street food at the Old Kent Market, which was formerly a cinema.