Sandgate Beach

The beach that locals keep to themselves

Just two miles west of Folkestone sits Sandgate, a charming seaside village that somehow escapes the attention of many day trippers.

Reachable in around 10 minutes by car, bus or taxi from Folkestone Central Station, Sandgate offers a long, gently curving beach backed by independent cafés, pubs and colourful seafront homes.

Unlike Sunny Sands, there’s no single focal point where everyone gathers. Instead, visitors naturally spread out along the shoreline, creating a much calmer atmosphere even during peak summer weekends.

Grab an iced coffee from Orchard Lane, stroll the promenade and watch paddleboarders glide across the water. You can also bring your dogs as long as you are past Sandgate Castle!

Hythe Beach

Miles of coastline beyond the crowds

Continue west and you’ll discover one of the region’s most underrated stretches of coast.

Hythe Beach extends for miles, meaning visitors rarely feel crowded even during school holidays. The seafront runs alongside the famous Royal Military Canal, creating plenty of opportunities to combine a beach day with a waterside walk, cycle ride or lunch stop.

From Folkestone Central Station, Hythe is around 15 minutes by car or easily accessible via regular bus services.

The further west you walk from Hythe town centre, the quieter the beach becomes. Before long you’ll find yourself sharing the coastline with little more than a handful of dog walkers and sea swimmers.

This is exactly why locals consider it one of the finest beaches in Folkestone and Hythe.

Dymchurch Beach

Go beyond the funfair

Dymchurch is often associated with its family attractions and traditional seaside amusements, but here’s the local tip: keep walking.

The beach itself stretches for miles in either direction. Once you move away from the central amusement area, you’ll discover huge expanses of sand and shingle that feel remarkably uncrowded, even on hot summer days.

From Folkestone Central Station, Dymchurch is around 25 minutes by car or jump on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway from Hythe and ride the scenic coastal mini stream train all the way along the coast.

The sea wall provides easy walking and cycling, while the wide beach offers plenty of room for picnics, beach games and long coastal strolls.

It’s one of the easiest places on the Kent coast to find your own patch of shoreline.

Greatstone Beach

Kent’s answer to the wide-open coast

If space is what you’re after, Greatstone delivers it in abundance.

Around 35 minutes from Folkestone Central Station by car, Greatstone boasts one of the widest sandy beaches in Kent. The sense of openness here is extraordinary. The best parking is here. 

Families can spread out without feeling on top of each other. Kite flyers have room to soar. Walkers can wander for miles along the shore.

On a sunny day, the vast scale of the beach means it rarely feels busy, even when visitor numbers are high.

The views across Romney Marsh and the English Channel add to the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon somewhere special.

St Mary’s Bay & Littlestone

Two secret beaches in the Romney Marsh area that locals love

Ask locals where they head when the weather is at its best and you’ll often hear the same two names: St Mary’s Bay and Littlestone.

Just beyond Dymchurch, St Mary’s Bay offers a wonderfully relaxed seaside atmosphere. The beach stretches for miles, with wide open views across the Channel and plenty of room to spread out, even during the height of summer. Families love the gently sloping shoreline, while walkers can enjoy uninterrupted coastal strolls away from the busier resort areas.

A little further west, Littlestone is one of the most overlooked coastal gems in the district. Known for its elegant seafront homes, famous golf course and peaceful promenade, the beach here feels distinctly quieter than many of Kent’s better-known seaside destinations. The expansive mix of sand and shingle creates plenty of space for sunbathing, picnics and paddling, while the uninterrupted views towards Dungeness make it a favourite spot for photographers and nature lovers.  Please take extra care and follow guidance relating to mud holes.

From Folkestone Central Station, both beaches can be reached in around 30 to 35 minutes by car, making them an easy option for visitors looking to escape the crowds without venturing too far from town.

For lots of useful information and safety tips, check here, before you travel.

The Warren, Folkestone

A secret beach in Folkestone hiding beneath the cliffs

The Warren is currently closed as Network complete essential work and will be open once again from August. 

Most visitors arriving at Folkestone Central Station never venture east of the harbour. That’s a mistake.

Just a 10-minute drive or 30-minute walk from Folkestone Central Station, The Warren feels a world away from the town centre. Tucked beneath dramatic chalk cliffs, this nature reserve offers one of the most secluded coastal experiences in Kent.

The beach here is wild, natural and wonderfully peaceful. There are no amusement arcades, no crowds and no ice cream queues. Instead you’ll find rock pools, fossils, chalk formations, wildflowers and uninterrupted sea views.

For easiest access, park at East Cliff Pavilion car park and follow the footpaths down towards the coast. Good walking shoes are recommended as some paths can be steep. There is also parking by the Martello Tower – worth following the road through and seeing what is available. Refuel at lovely campsite café Little Switzerland for delicious food and sweeping views.

On sunny weekends, when the harbour is packed, The Warren remains one of the best-kept secret beaches in Folkestone and Hythe.

Dungeness

The ultimate hidden coastal escape

There is nowhere quite like Dungeness.

Around 40 minutes by car from Folkestone Central Station (or the last stop on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway!), this extraordinary landscape feels closer to a film set than a traditional seaside destination.

The vast shingle headland stretches out towards the sea beneath enormous skies. Fishing boats sit on the beach. Artists’ studios hide among weathered cottages. Wildlife thrives across one of Britain’s most unique coastal environments.

There isn’t a traditional beach experience here and that’s precisely the point. Visitors come for solitude, scenery and a sense of discovery.

If you’re looking for the most unforgettable of all the secret beaches in Folkestone and Hythe, this is it.