Our beaches in the Folkestone and Hythe District

Whether you fancy building sand castles, hunting for fossils or kitesurfing - Folkestone & Hythe is the place to be.

Experience the extraordinary: whistle stop tour of some of our favourite beaches.

The water ratings given for beaches are those provided by the Environment Agency. From May to September, weekly assessments measure current water quality, and at number of sites daily pollution risk forecasts are issued. Annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient or poor based on measurements taken over period of up to four years. Results are published on the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website. Six of our beaches are given ratings.

Information about water quality can also be found on Southern Water’s - Rivers and Seas Watch website.

The latest slides from the Folkestone & Hythe Community Engagement Meeting - February 2026 can be found here (PDF, 19MB).

See advice on staying safe on beaches.

Dungeness

This shingle beach right on the very edge of Romney Marsh is great place to visit for its varied wildlife and unique landscape. Angling is popular from the point.
Places of interest: Places of interest in the area include Prospect Cottage and the RSPB Nature Reserve.
Getting there: Dungeness is easily accessible using the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
Water rating for Dungeness: Not designated for bathing water testing.

Dymchurch

Dymchurch beach stretches for around three miles and is great place to bring your bucket and spade when the tide is out.
Places of interest: You can find variety of traditional seaside attractions in Dymchurch, which can get very busy during the holiday season. Facilities include parking, food and drink, slipway, and toilets.
Getting there: Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely. You can also use the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway.
Water rating for Dymchurch: The cleanliness of the water has been rated as poor and bathing is not currently advised.

Folkestone, Mermaids Beach

Located opposite the Lower Leas Coastal Park, Mermaids Beach is great place to go for swim, sunbathe or enjoy picnic. But make sure you bring your flip-flops as this is pebble beach.
Places of interest: It's also short walk from the Folkestone Harbour Arm, which has wide selection of places to eat and drink. Mermaids Beach is easy to access from Folkestone town centre using the unique Zig Zag Path. Other facilities include toilets.
Experience the extraordinary: The jewel in Folkestone's crown.
Water rating for Folkestone, Mermaids Beach: Not designated for bathing water testing.

Folkestone, Sunny Sands

This sandy beach - located in the heart of Folkestone Harbour - is perfect for swimming, bodyboarding and building sand castles.
Places of interest: It's short walk from The Stade and Folkestone Harbour Arm if you are looking to get something to eat or drink. Sunny Sands is the only sandy beach within an hour of London so can get quite busy during the summer months.
Getting there: Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely.
Beach safety: Volunteer lifeguards from local charity Folkestone Rescue patrol the beach on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am until 4pm between April and September.
Dog restrictions: Seasonal dog restrictions apply on Sunny Sands. Facilities include toilets.
Water rating for Folkestone, Sunny Sands: The cleanliness of the water has been rated as sufficient.

Folkestone, The Warren

Sitting adjacent to the Warren Country Park, this is great place for fossil hunting and investigating rock pools.
Places of interest: It's also short walk from East Cliff Sports if you fancy playing some lawn tennis, pitch and putt or bowls.
Getting there: Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely.
Not designated for bathing water testing.

Greatstone

Greatstone's sandy beach is an excellent spot for swimming when the tide is in. On the other hand, low tide reveals more sand and an extra half-mile of mud - making it an excellent location for water sports and wind sports such as sand-yachting and kitesurfing.
Places of interest: Facilities include parking, food and drink, picnic area, slipway, and toilets.
Beach safety: There are additional safety considerations to take into account on muddy beach. Please take extra care and follow guidance relating to mud holes.
Getting there: Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely.
Water rating for Greatstone: Not designated for bathing water testing.

Hythe

Hythe is home to pebble beach with long promenade running all the way to Sandgate. Hythe beach is often used by anglers.
Places of interest: The beach is close to the Royal Military Canal - ideal for cycle rides, picnics and spotting wildlife. Nearby facilities include food and drink and toilets.
Getting there: Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely.
Water rating for Hythe: The cleanliness of the water has been rated as excellent.

Littlestone

If visiting Littlestone beach at low tide, be very careful of the mud - which stretches out for approximately half mile.
Places of interest: Littlestone has picnic sites, children's playground and an outdoor gym on The Green. Facilities also include parking, food and drink, picnic area and toilets.
Beach safety: Please take extra care and follow guidance relating to mud holes. Make sure you bring your flip-flops as this is pebble beach.
Water rating for Littlestone: The cleanliness of the water has been rated as poor and bathing is not currently advised.

Sandgate

Sandgate beach has been Seaside Award recipient every year since 2013.
Places of interest: It is just few minutes from Sandgate High Street's shops, cafes and restaurants and can be easily accessed by bus, bicycle and on foot. Facilities include parking, food and drink and toilets.
Getting there: Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely.
Water rating for Sandgate: The cleanliness of the water has been rated as excellent.

St Mary's Bay

This long sandy beach sits between Dymchurch and Littlestone. We would recommend visiting at high tide to make the most of the sea view.
Places of interest: Facilities include food and drink and toilets.
Beach safety: When the tide is out the beach becomes muddy. Please take extra care and follow guidance relating to mud holes.
Getting there:  Make sure you plan your journey in advance and please respect residents by parking legally and safely.
Experience the extraordinary: 48 hours in Romney Marsh.
Water rating for St Marys Bay: The cleanliness of the water has been rated as sufficient.