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Shakespeare Beach

Kent, England


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Shakespeare Beach, located near Dover Harbour, is a long shingle beach set in a bay near Shakespeare Cliff, offering a unique combination of natural features and recreational activities.

Shakespeare Beach is a long shingle beach situated in a bay near Shakespeare Cliff, just west of Dover Harbour. The beach features deep pools and a wavecut platform towards the cliff end, making it an interesting spot for exploration at low tide.

However, access to the beach is via over 100 steps, which makes it not accessible for disabled visitors. Alternatively, visitors can walk to the beach from the western side of the port near Dover Marina. The beach's location within a bay, near Shakespeare Cliff, also offers stunning views and open spaces.

The beach is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and dog walking, with dogs allowed on the beach year-round. In fact, Shakespeare Beach is the traditional starting point for swimmers crossing the Channel, with the shortest distance between the UK and France. After severe damage in the Christmas storm in 2015, the beach reopened to the public in 2017. For nearby parking, there is a pay and display at Samphire Hoe just to the west.

Shakespeare Beach is on the Dover-folkestone Heritage Coast.

Shingle

Weather and tides for Wednesday 16 September

Today
Chance of rain 19%
Max temperature 19°C
feels like 20°C
Wind 11mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain %
Min temperature 12°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 11mph

The tide at Shakespeare Beach is currently low. High tide will be at approximately 3:02 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 10:09 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Other beaches nearby

Location: Aycliff,

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: TR307398

Coordinates: 51°6'39"N 1°17'42"E

Mapcode: GBR W1T.B83

What 3 Words: wildfires.vague.arrive

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: Dover

Parish: Dover

Nearest postcode: CT17 9GE

(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.

Visitor information for Shakespeare Beach, Kent, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.217.16 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 09:55:20 +0100