Beside the sea

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You don't have to leave the country to enjoy a fine sandy beach and - if the weather is good - a dip in the sea. Britain's coastal resorts have more to offer than fish and chips, arcades and piers.

Try fresh oysters in Whitstable , where they've been cultivating them for more than 2,000 years. A favourite with the London in-crowd, the town oozes charm.

Or visit the old net huts at Hastings , home to Europe's largest fishing fleet. The attractive old town has a labyrinth of alleyways, cafes and antique shops.

Margate boasts a huge sandy beach with donkey rides, a children's play area and amusement park, or for a real rural beach experience, explore Camber Sands, East Sussex.

Brighton lays claim to being London's seaside with all its glamour and flamboyance, but if you fancy any other destinations, there's plenty of beaches within easy reach of London .

Sea Dreams: London's beach tribes

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