Forget packing up a picnic and getting stuck in traffic on your way to a crowded seaside town.

Newham Recorder: A beach arrives at the Royal Victoria DocksA beach arrives at the Royal Victoria Docks (Image: Archant)

Two urban beaches are being set up to provide a touch of summer – and the good news is they’re only a DLR ride away.

Visitors to the Royal Docks can top up their tan on the Urban London Beach when it opens on Monday.

Situated next to the water, it’s easy to lie back in your deckchair and imagine you’re somewhere tropical.

The free attraction, now in its third year, is open from 10am until 8pm every day until August 30.

Newham Recorder: The sand is imported into Queen Elizabeth Olympic ParkThe sand is imported into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Image: Archant)

If you can’t wait that long, BeachEast is set to open in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday.

With 1,000 tonnes of sand spread over 2,200 sq m – almost double the size of the London Aquatics Centre’s largest pool – it also boasts a funfair, bars and a paddling pool.

Stephen Barker, who is helping to organise the event, said: “A lot of children have never had the chance to go to the beach.

“We’ve created beaches in Liverpool and Nottingham and they’ve been a great success.”

Entry is free between 10am and 10pm until August 31.