The sea. White Cliffs Country was formed from it, and it has shaped our history and heritage. The closest land to the Continent, people and trade have passed through the region for millennia and today visitors from across the world come to see what we’re famous for – the chalk-white cliffs that stand sentinel over the English Channel.
Paddleboarding at Deal © DDC
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air." R W Emerson
You can walk the paths on these iconic cliffs, breathe in the cool sea breeze and gaze out to sea, but we also have beautiful beaches to stroll along and swim from – Shakespeare Beach and Dover Harbour beach, St Margaret’s Bay, the long stretch of pebble beach from Kingsdown and Walmer to Deal and beyond, and the more secluded Sandwich Bay.
All are swimmable, but beware of strong currents, and some are dog-friendly. St Margaret’s Bay is a sheltered spot close to shore and is great for families, with The Coastguard pub and a café kiosk with outdoor seating and public toilets beside the beach. Dover Harbour Beach is also a popular and safe swimming spot and is where many a cross-Channel swimmer has trained. It’s also home to Dover Sea Sports Centre and there are plenty of cafes, bars and kiosks along the seafront and on the Marina Curve. Walmer and Deal beaches are adjacent to the towns and all the amenities they have to offer, whereas Sandwich Bay is more off the beaten track, accessible by a toll road.
It may be tempting to jump right in to cool down in hot weather, but we want you to enjoy our lovely beaches and keep safe in the sea, so please check the weather, water conditions and tide timetable beforehand and have the right equipment with you. The RNLI advises swimmers to acclimatise to avoid cold-water shock, make sure you wear a bright-coloured hat or use a bright swim float so you can be seen, and to stay within your depths; Swim England also has some good advice for sea-swimming.
Walmer Beach © DDC
There are many health and wellbeing benefits of sea-swimming – it helps to reduce anxiety, boosts mood, circulation and the immune system. It’s also a great way to meet people, and many informal sea-swimming groups gather to swim regularly in Dover Harbour, St Margaret’s Bay, Kingsdown and Deal.
See the White Cliffs from the sea © Dover Sea Safari
If you want to get your swimming mojo back in a pool before venturing into the sea (and for those times when it's not sea-swimming weather!), there are several public swimming pools in the area – Dover District Leisure Centre pool, the Balance Spa and Health Club pool at St Margaret’s Bay Holiday Park and Tides in Deal, which has a fun-pool with slides.
Walmer Paddling Pool (next to Roman Landings Adventure Golf) adjacent to the beach is a great place to introduce small children to the water. It's free to use, has a refreshments kiosk (where you can buy ice creams and drinks) and public toilets. For confident and adventurous swimmers there is Whitemills Aqua Park near Sandwich where there's a giant inflatable obstacle course on the water.
If you prefer to be on the sea rather than in it, there are plenty of options. Dover Sea Sports hires out boats, paddleboards and kayaks and runs several courses in the protected confines of Dover Harbour. Dover Sea Safari operates their popular tours from Dover – take an exhilarating high-speed RHIB ride out past the ferry port, along the coast to Deal or to Pegwell Bay to spot the grey seal colony – and Wetwheels runs fully accessible boat trips for wheelchair users and are happy to tailor trips according to your needs. Or you can climb aboard the River Runner at Sandwich Quay for a trip along the River Stour and out to sea towards Shellness Point.
There is so much to do beside the seaside in White Cliffs Country, why not extend your visit? Find inspiration here and many lovely places to stay. We look forward to seeing you!
Grey seal pup © Dover Sea Safari