For the latest version of this page and future updates, please go to the naturist beach Guide at the: Naturist UK Fact File
More information on these beaches urgently needed! Please
Abbot's Cliff (The Warren), Folkestone
A long-established unofficial beach, midway between Folkestone and Dover. Still used - mostly by locals. Pebbles and shingle with high chalk cliffs. It is inadvisable to sit directly under them, since cliff falls are frequent. Bathing possible at high tide, but problems with rocks at low tide. Access is possible (except at high tide) from Samphire Hoe Country Park (pay and display car parking). If you are prepared for a one-and-a-half-mile walk or cycle ride, better access is said to be from the Folkestone Eastern Pleasure Beach along the concrete "promenade". Free on-street parking is possible near the Eastern Beach and there is a cliff-top paying car park (but this usually closes about 6pm - so check if you plan to stay late!).
The anti nudity by-law appling to other beaches in the 'Borough of Folkestone' [see below] may not apply at The Warren, since there is a suggestion that the land in this area belongs to the railway authority - the Abbots Cliff railway tunnel runs through the chalk cliff immediately behind the beach and responsibility for the sea defences to protect this stretch from erosion seem to lie with the railways.
See also Sandgate update - below
Trip Report - August 2004
"The beach is still there, still nudist. Mostly men... many of them gay, although there was a grandfather with his grandchildren. Other than that though, mostly gay men (not that I'm complaining! ;)). The sea was quite warm, although I would warn people about the rocks in the sea. But it was my first time to a nudist beach and I'm definately returning!"
Trip Report - July 2003
"I was last at the Warren about a month ago and it was reasonably populated. There are large areas of "pea gravel" sized stones which I find better to sand as they don't stick to your sun oil."
Sandgate, near Folkestone
This is an area of shingle beach on the Folkestone Leas end of Sandgate. Well used by locals who tend to sit close to the retaining walls for the gardens of the flats and properties in Lower Sandgate Road. Some discretion is needed as there can be passers-by and not all of the residents like the idea of naturists "at the bottom of the garden"! Sea bathing is possible - but a swimming costume is required. Parking is possible in a number of nearby roads or the small sea-front car park in Castle Road, behind the shops at Sandgate.
Trip Report - July 2003
"There is indeed a fairly busy unofficial beach at Sandgate near the Sandgate end of the Leas. If anyone is considering visiting.... these beaches it is worth checking the condition of the chalk cliff above where you want to sit..... visitors to Sandgate should be aware that much of the beach is overlooked by flats."
Update - May 2005
It is reported that enforcement action has recently been taken by the local council's "Crime Reduction Officer" in response to a complaint from a local resident. The officer concerned visited the beach on 28 July and told people to dress, otherwise they risked arrest under by-laws relating to 'Bathing' and 'Nuisances Contrary To Public Decency'. The by-law applies to the 'Borough of Folkestone' (which no longer exists) and would presumably apply at The Warren [see above] also.
"This is far too public a place for anything more than topless sunbathing. There are persistent complaints throughout each summer.... My advice is not to go there."
Further information on this is requested - please post it HERE
Shakespeare Cliff.
Long reputed to have been used by naturists. No other information available at present. Use may have been affected by introduction of a beach walk from Samphire Hoe to Folkestone
Sandwich Bay
A long-established unofficial naturist beach. Sandy with dunes. Good sea bathing when the tide is in. However, access is via a private toll road and currently involves an extortionate £5 fee for cars. Also access could be a nightmare while the Open Golf Tournament takes place at the Royal St George's Golf Club near the beach (July 17-20 2003). Fuller details available HERE
Botany Bay, Kingsgate
A very attractive long sandy beach with some grassed dunes backed by low cliffs on the north-eastern tip of Kent, between Margate and Broadstairs. Another unofficial beach, mostly used by locals for sunbathing. Discretion is needed although some skinny dipping is possible when the beach is quiet and the tide in. On-road free parking is possible in the roads leading down to the beach from the B2052 George Hill Road.
Trip Report - August 2004
"We went to Botany bay this last bank holiday 29/8/04.
The weather was overcast and really too cold for sunbathing. This report is to help find the beach, although we didn't have a great deal of trouble, these extra bits may help: from George Hill road, take a left into Botany Road, drive to bottom, and there is parking, but may fill up quickly on a hot day. There are other roads near by, most without double yellow lines. After parking go through the gap in the cliffs onto the beach and head left. Walk about 500-600 yds along the sand. The dunes [described above] are against the cliffs, just before what I assume to be a coast guard building which is on the cliffs.
Hope these report will help, we shall try the beach when the weather improves and report back, but as summer this year seems to be over it may have to wait till next year."
Reculver / Minnis Bay
A shingle beach midway between Reculver and Minnis Bay on the north Kent coast. Another unofficial beach used by a few locals. Reached by the Wantsum Walk coastal footpath (along the top of sea defences) either from Reculver public carpark or the Minnis Bay seafront car parking. The Wantsum Walk veers inland for the bit near the beach, so it is only overlooked by people who choose to walk along the low cliff top. The beach is north facing so can lose the sun by mid afternoon. In my opinion, only worth visiting if you are in the area.
Long Rock, Swalecliffe
A shingle spit to the east of Tankerton Slopes and beach. This was an official beach some years ago but designation was removed by Canterbury City Council (mainly one suspects due to pressure by local residents) and there are now a couple of notice boards advising "naturism is not condoned" - whatever that means! Despite this, the beach IS used for sunbathing. Skinny dipping is possible when the beach is quiet and the tide in. The area can be seen from nearby footpaths and what often seems to be a constant stream of dog walkers - so much of the time standing up and walking about is unwise. Again, possibly only worth visiting if you are in the area. More details HERE
Graveney (Seasalter)
This is an area of beach said to suitable for naturist use, located on the south bank of the Swale estuary, one-mile west of The Sportsman Inn between Seasalter and Graveney.
Access is via the Saxon Shore Way coastal footpath or along the beach, from The Sportsman pub - on the sharp bend where the road from Graveney, near Faversham, joins the coast. There is some informal roadside parking close to the pub and much better off-road areas about half-a-mile east, close to the Seasalter Yacht Clubhouse. The carpark at The Sportsman is for patrons only. The South Swale Nature Reserve (which extends for several miles of foreshore from Nagden to The Sportsman) may be off limits at nesting time.
"Although limited for naturism, this section of coastline really is very attractive and peaceful and probably worth a visit. Across the waters of The Swale is the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey; to the west are views of the largely unspoilt banks of The Swale and to the east is Whitstable Bay. The Swale is heavily silted with a narrow shipping channel nearer the Sheppey coastline - so the waters off the "naturist beach" are non-existent at low tide and very shallow at high tide. Not very suitable for swimming! The beach area can be overseen by passers-by. However on my visit there was only one walker and a cyclist (!) in more than two hours."
Shellness, near Leysdown
Kent's only official naturist beach. Grassed dunes with a beach comprising fine shingle (crushed shells!), some sand and, when the tide is out, some mud! Good sea bathing with surprisingly good water quality. It is overlooked from a sea wall and the nearby hamlet of Shellness. More details HERE
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More information on these beaches urgently needed! Please
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