Kent’s little known dog-friendly beach that totally disappears multiple times a day

Summer is kicking off with an official heatwave in Kent, meaning many of us will be heading out to the beach at the earliest possibility. While hundreds are sure to flock to Margate’s golden sands or beloved Viking Bay in Broadstairs, there are those of us who like a quieter day out by the sea.

If a secluded beach is what you want, where you can bring your four-legged friends too, then look no further than Shakespeare Beach. A real hidden gem along the Kent coast, this expanse of shingle is remote and secluded, tucked away just outside of Dover near the charming village of Aycliffe.

It stretches between the west of Dover Harbour from Admiralty Pier to Shakespeare Cliff, and is a truly picturesque spot away from the summer crowds. For the dog owners out there, you’ll be pleased to know that you can bring your canine companion here all year round.

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It is worth noting though there are no litter facilities on the beach itself however. It’s not just dog walkers that love this beach either, as this has become an incredibly popular spot for swimmers. This is because swimming The Channel from Shakespeare Beach is the shortest distance between England and France.

Be prepared however, as even if you’re not there to put your swimming abilities to the test, you’ll still be getting quite the workout when stopping by this quiet slice of paradise. Getting down to the beach might not be the easiest task as the most direct route takes you down a particular steep staircase, consisting of over 100 steps.

If you don’t fancy getting a full leg workout before your day on the shingles, an alternative route to the beach is available from the west side of the port near Dover Marina, but regardless of which route you take, the beach is very difficult to access for those with pushchairs or wheelchairs. The nearest pay and display car parking can be found at Samphire Hoe, which is around a 50 minute walk away, while on-street parking can be found in Aycliffe and regular bus services run between the village and Dover.

Interestingly, the beach was actually forced to close for a time as its seawall was completely destroyed during a storm in 2015. It remained shut for around two years before re-opening in 2017 and has continued to welcome beachgoers ever since.

While here, you can find some deep rock pools that are accessible at low tide and are brimming with fascinating sea life. You can also enjoy a spot of fishing here, and the spot is great for young anglers, or simply relax on this comparatively peaceful beach along the historic shoreline, part of Heritage England.

A very important element to consider before visiting however is tide times. During high tide the beach is almost completely submerged underwater, a lesson KentLive learned the hard way when we tried to check out this beach for ourselves last year, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly.

The beach, the cliff and the playwright

Shakespeare Cliff is undeniably one of Dover’s most impressive and has a fascinating literary connection. It appears in William Shakespeare's play, King Lear in the scene when a disguised Edgar leads Gloucester to the cliff.

Shakespeare was known to frequent Dover while he was writing King Lear, and clearly the iconic port town inspired his work. The scene plays out as follows:

Come on, sir; here's the place: stand still. How fearful

And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!

The crows and choughs that wing the midway air

Show scarce so gross as beetles: half way down

Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade!

Methinks he seems no bigger than his head:

The fishermen that walk upon the beach

Appear like mice; and yond tall anchoring bark

Diminish'd to her cock; her cock a buoy

Almost too small for sight: the murmering surge,

That on the unnumber'd idle pebbles chafes,

Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more;

Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight

Topple down headlong.

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