Explore the dramatic coastal area of White Cliffs Country that inspired England's perhaps most famous poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, to feature in his tragic play 'King Lear'.

Shakespeare Beach stretches to the west of Dover Harbour from Admiralty Pier to Shakespeare Cliff. Set in the bay, it is a quiet location where you can enjoy the sounds of waves crashing on the shore and imagine the Great Bard creating his famous literary works.

You can access the beach via a footpath. Use on-street parking at Aycliffe and cross the A20 via a footbridge to the cliff. There are steps down to beach. Or park (pay and display) at Samphire Hoe and walk along the footpath.

More on Shakespeare Cliff and Shakespeare Beach…

Shakespeare Cliff is Dover’s most impressive cliff, depicted in William Shakespeare's tragedy 'King Lear' when Edgar, still disguised, leads Gloucester to the cliff:

"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." 

King Lear, Act IV scene VI - The Country near Dover.