Under 2 Hours From London Is England's Coastal Town With A Beach, River Views, And Mouthwatering Seafood

The writer Samuel Johnson famously quipped that "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life," and indeed, the British capital is a bustling metropolis with endless opportunities to explore. But to paraphrase the contemporary writer Bill Bryson, Great Britain is, after all, a small island — meaning that if you're looking to ditch London for a less urban adventure elsewhere in Blighty, you don't have to travel particularly far. For a coastal retreat under two hours away from the city, look no further than the Essex town of Burnham-on-Crouch, where you'll find delectable seafood, a beach, and scenic views of multiple rivers.

To get here, you've got options. If you're coming from London, you can drive the 52-mile trip northeast, or opt for public transit. For the latter, catch a Greater Anglia train from London's Liverpool Street station and alight in the town of Chelmsford before boarding a 331 bus to Burnham-on-Crouch: The journey should take just under two hours. Framed another way, that's not that much longer than the time it might take you to get from parts of South London to North London on the Tube. That means that this seaside escape makes for an easily accessible weekend getaway, combined with nearby Osea Island, which is popular with celebrities. If you're flying to England first, you have your pick of London's airports to arrive into — although London Stansted Airport (STN) is closest, as it's about 40 miles from Burnham-on-Crouch.

The English coastline is not exactly known for providing a tropical experience — although the Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast, which feel like a Caribbean paradise, are a notable exception. Nonetheless, there's a unique charm to the quintessential English seaside holiday, even (or especially) if it means packing some knitwear in your beach bag alongside the sunscreen — just in case. Much like the charming coastal town of Deal, Burnham-on-Crouch boasts a gorgeous shoreline perfect for a beach day, no matter the weather. Hit up the sandy Burnham Beach, situated along the estuary known as River Crouch. Just know before you go that, as Burnham Beach is a tidal beach, swimming and paddling are only advisable at high tide – so plan your day out accordingly to avoid disappointment.

For some enjoyable riverside time, continue on to Burnham-on-Crouch's aptly-named Riverside Park. This town park contains numerous amenities, including two children's play areas, a skatepark, soccer and rugby pitch, trim trail (also known as a fitness trail), and BMX track, as well as an indoor sports center. But for scenic views of River Crouch, make your way through the park to what its website describes as "the large, L-shaped plateau east of the marina" — a serene corner with benches to relax on. Alternatively, walk along the town's lengthy waterfront, passing by multiple yacht clubs, hotels, and other establishments as you take in views of the glassy river and bobbing boats. As one Tripadvisor reviewer puts it, "there is a great feeling of space and being in a completely different environment."

After spending the day at the beach, you'll surely have worked up an appetite — and fortunately, this maritime hamlet has an abundance of seafood offerings on tap. Grab a table for a meal at The Oyster Smack Inn, a hotel and restaurant that was a tavern in the 19th century. The word "smack" in its name comes from the type of fishing boat that was historically used on the River Crouch. It serves up "locally sourced, home-cooked, seasonal food, and warm, friendly service." Opt for anything from local Maldon oysters shucked to order, to calamari and butterflied seabass. Today, visitors speak highly of the inn, with one on Tripadvisor saying, "The food was excellent, we had a set meal, which was fresh and beautifully cooked. Portions were generous, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared."

Alternatively, to partake in the epitome of laidback British seaside cuisine, there's also Burnham Fish Bar. Here, you can order up battered cod and chips, steak and kidney pies, and sides such as onion rings. While reviews of this fish and chip shop are mixed, the overall ratings are high — and many reviewers stand by it, with one reviewer on Google Maps describing its output as "good quality food always cooked fresh."