Approximate Location Map
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Walpole Bay is a long, sandy beach with a gently shelving shoreline and a promenade that runs along its length. The beach is backed by small cliffs and features a tidal pool at its eastern end, which is one of the largest in the UK. The pool was built in the 1930s and remains a popular spot for swimmers, particularly open-water enthusiasts. The beach itself is a mix of sand and rock, with exposed chalk reefs and seaweed-covered rocks visible at low tide, making it a great place for kids to explore rockpools and marine life.
The beach offers a range of activities for watersports enthusiasts, including swimming, paddle-boarding, and exploring the tidal pool. On the promenade, visitors can enjoy crazy golf, a bowling green, and other entertainments. There are also cafes and restaurants in the area, including the Palm Bay Cafe & Games Centre, which is located to the east of the beach. Parking is available along Fifth Avenue and nearby residential roads, and access to the beach is reasonable, with steps and sloped paths leading down from the promenade.
The beach has basic but available facilities, including public toilets and bins for rubbish. The area around the Walpole Bay Hotel offers some local charm, and Margate's main town centre is just a short walk or drive away for those looking for more amenities. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, making it a great destination for dog walkers. The wide promenade and cliff-top lawns above the beach also make it a great area for a longer walk, with scenic views stretching along the coast.
Visitors are advised to check the tide times before visiting the beach, as the tide can come in quickly and leave little sand exposed. When the tide is in, much of the sand disappears under water, but at low tide, a wide beach opens up with plenty of room for a stroll or paddle. However, there are no lifeguards on duty, so anyone using the tidal pool or venturing into the sea does so at their own risk.
Margate Walpole Bay is adjacent to the Kent Coastline Walk and the Viking Coastal Trail.
Sand Rock
| Today |  |
|---|---|
| Chance of rain | 92% |
| Max temperature | 16°C |
| feels like | 16°C |
| Wind 26mph |  |
| Tonight |  |
|---|---|
| Chance of rain | % |
| Min temperature | 9°C |
| feels like | 12°C |
| Wind 14mph |  |
The tide at Margate Walpole Bay is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 6:33 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 12:40 AM tomorrow.
Detailed weather and tides »
Litter bins
Slipway
The Bowls Club or Leisure Centre, at opposite ends of the beach, have parking facilities.
No dogs allowed at any time between 1st May and 30th September.
Daily clean by mobile unit during May to September.
No lifeguard cover at this beach
Water quality not measured here
less than a mile east as the seagull flies, just over a mile by road or less than a mile on foot using coastal paths.
less than a mile west as the seagull flies, just over a mile by road or less than a mile on foot using coastal paths.
just over a mile west-southwest as the seagull flies, just over a mile by road.
around 2 miles east as the seagull flies, around 2 miles by road.
around 2 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 2 miles by road.
around 2 miles east-southeast as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road.
around 3 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road.
around 3 miles southeast as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road.
around 3 miles west-southwest as the seagull flies, around 3 miles by road.
around 3 miles southeast as the seagull flies, around 4 miles by road.
around 4 miles south-southeast as the seagull flies, around 6 miles by road.
around 5 miles south as the seagull flies, around 7 miles by road.
around 5 miles west as the seagull flies, around 6 miles by road.
around 8 miles south as the seagull flies, around 14 miles by road.
around 9 miles west as the seagull flies, around 12 miles by road.
around 11 miles west as the seagull flies, around 14 miles by road.
around 11 miles west as the seagull flies, around 14 miles by road.
around 12 miles south as the seagull flies, around 17 miles by road.
around 12 miles west as the seagull flies, around 15 miles by road.
around 13 miles west as the seagull flies, around 15 miles by road.
Location: Cliftonville, Margate
Location type: Urban
OS Grid: TR366714
Coordinates: 51°23'32"N 1°23'59"E
Mapcode: GBR WZT.LRC
What 3 Words: grin.rested.arts
Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.
County: Kent
Country: England
Local Authority: Thanet
Nearest postcode: CT9 2LQ
(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)
Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.
