THE Sussex coast is famous for its glorious beaches, with thousands flocking to the shores every year.
As the scorching weather is set to continue into this week, The Argus has compiled a list of some of the most popular beaches.
1. Camber Sands
Camber Sands is a little unusual for a Sussex beach and the reason is in the name.
Unlike most along our coast which are lined with pebbles and shingle held in place by a series of groynes, Camber Sands is covered in fine, golden sand.
It is a popular windsurfing/kite-surfing spot which suggests it is worth packing a windbreak. The beach is also regarded as one of the best places for beachcombing in the UK.
Despite its fantastic natural assets Camber Sands remains largely unspoilt. For the larger part of the year there is a good chance of finding some solitude there.
Even in the height of summer the crowds are bearable even though it is within two hours of London.
2. Birling Gap
The beach at Birling Gap is at the base of the Seven Sisters.
It is mostly pebbles which give way to the occasional patch of sand. As the tide goes out rocky platforms are revealed which provide an array of rock pools to explore.
At the top there is a weatherboarded National Trust cafe along with a car park and row of cottages which are slowly disappearing into the sea as the cliffs erode.
As well as meaning the cottages are falling into the sea, the unstable cliffs also present a significant danger to anyone standing too close.
3. Brighton
Brighton beach is famously pebbly, with certified Blue Flag waters and a four-mile promenade that buzzes with life in all seasons.
The water can be chilly but Brighton is popular for swimming and watersports such as windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and wakeboarding.
The Palace Pier hosts a traditional fairground along with cafes, restaurants, fish and chips and beach clubs.
4. Pevensey Bay
This rural, shingle beach is about five miles north-east of Eastbourne and the village of Pevensey is around one mile away.
It is quieter than most beaches along this stretch of the coast and unusually for this area, there are no cliffs.
North-east of the beach is a flat, marshy area known as the Pevensey Levels.
5. West Wittering
Located at the mouth of Chichester Harbour, West Wittering has an attractive sandy beach within a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The sloping beach is lined with multi-coloured beach huts.
It is an ideal spot for sunbathing, paddling and watersports such as surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing when conditions are right.
Although largely undeveloped there are facilities including toilets, showers, parking and a café.
There are lifeguards in summer along with deckchair hire and surf lessons. As the tide retreats it leaves shallow lagoons of warm water - perfect for youngsters to splash and play.
6. Littlehampton East Beach
The mile-long sand and shingle beach at Littlehampton is everything you would expect from a long-established seaside resort.
There is a promenade, amusements, theme park, well-maintained seafront gardens and even the UK’s longest bench. Yes, there is a 1,000ft long bench running along Littlehampton’s seafront.
The beach is also patrolled by RNLI lifeguards during the summer and a Kidcare wristband scheme operates to make it safe for families.
7. Goring
The beach at Goring is a long stretch of pebbles and shingle separated by wooden groynes marking the high tide mark. Beyond this is an expanse of flat sand.
To the rear is a large grassy area which is separated from the beach by a narrow paved path that runs from the Sea Lane Cafe to Worthing. Much of it is lined with traditional wooden beach huts.
The backdrop is the small town of Goring. It’s a short walk into the town centre where you will find shops, cafes and a railway station.
8. Middleton
The sandy beach of Middleton-on-Sea, just east of Bognor, is relatively quiet and tranquil, used mostly by locals walking their dogs.
The beach includes substantial sea defences against coastal erosion, including wooden groynes and a sea wall.
A small, pay-for private car park can be found along Elmer Road, a few hundred metres' walk from the beach.
Pubs, restaurants and shops can be found in Middleton-on-Sea itself.
9. Bexhill
The traditional seaside resort of Bexhill is a good spot for a family day at the beach.
The beach is mainly shingle held in place by a series of wooden groynes though at low tide a good expanse of fairly hard sand is exposed.
Swimming is generally safe at Bexhill and there are now RNLI lifeguards on duty during the summer with flagged areas for bathing.
10. Eastbourne
Eastbourne boasts everything you could need for a family holiday by the sea, with a host of activities in town, serene seafront gardens and an impressive pier bursting with places to eat and old amusements.
Pick up fresh fish and chips and walk down to the shingle beach to watch the waves as you tuck in.
There are shops, places to eat, toilets, deckchairs and beach huts for hire, as well as Eastbourne Pier amusements.
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