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While much of Kent’s coastline is celebrated for its iconic spots like Margate, Broadstairs, and Whitstable, there’s a quieter side to this county’s shore – secret beaches in Kent that locals keep close to their hearts. These tucked-away coves and lesser-known shores offer a peaceful escape from the usual summer crowds and make for some of the most secluded beaches in the UK.
Whether you’re craving quiet beaches in Kent, scenic solitude, or somewhere to walk your dog without dodging deckchairs, this guide takes you through Kent’s best-kept coastal secrets; ranked for charm, atmosphere, and hidden potential.
We visited every beach in Kent to find the top 20 most secluded, peaceful, and underrated coastal gems that only locals know about – perfect for quiet getaways and hidden beach adventures.
Contents
1. Stone Bay: Broadstairs’ Best-Kept Secret
2. Kingsgate Bay: Dramatic Cliffs & Hidden Caves
3. Dumpton Gap Beach: A Natural Shelter
4. Broadstairs Undercliff: Cliffside Tranquillity
6. Pegwell Bay: Ramsgate’s Wild Side
7. Epple Bay: Birchington’s Low-Key Coastal Retreat
8. Seasalter Beach: A Peaceful Escape
9. Swalecliffe Beach: For Peaceful Walks
10. Beltinge Bay: Herne Bay’s Secret Shores
11. Studd Hill Beach: A Cosy neighbourhood in Herne Bay
12. Hampton Beach: A Family-Friendly escape in Herne Bay
13. Samphire Hoe Beach: A Coastal Wonder Born of Engineering
14. Shakespeare Beach: A Hidden Dover Treasure
15. Kingsdown Beach: Underrated Charm Near Deal
16. Sandwich Bay: Exclusive and Untouched
17. Shellness Beach: Isle of Sheppey’s Raw Beauty
18. Greatstone Beach: Golden Sands and Big Skies
1. Stone Bay: Broadstairs’ Best-Kept Secret
Just a short walk from the busy Viking Bay, Stone Bay is a calm, cliff-backed escape known for its peaceful vibe. With clean sands and great rock pools, it’s ideal for families or quiet walks. It’s also an award-winning beach, something many local Kent beaches can’t boast.
2. Kingsgate Bay: Dramatic Cliffs & Hidden Caves
Tucked beneath towering white cliffs, Kingsgate Bay is full of surprises. At low tide, secret caves and sea arches appear, ideal for adventurers or photographers chasing natural beauty without the crowds. A true hidden gem on the Kent coast.
3. Dumpton Gap Beach: A Natural Shelter
Between Broadstairs and Ramsgate lies this curved bay surrounded by greenery and chalk walls. It’s one of the few beaches that remains peaceful year-round, loved by walkers and dog owners for its wide sandy stretch at low tide.
4. Broadstairs Undercliff: Cliffside Tranquillity
More of a hidden inlet than a beach, this quiet spot lies beneath the cliffs near Broadstairs’ promenade. It’s perfect for reflection or reading a book away from the hustle.
5. Western Undercliff Beach
Western Undercliff is a tucked-away spot in Ramsgate. Its rugged charm and coastal path make it a favourite among those looking to escape the busier beaches.
6. Pegwell Bay: Ramsgate’s Wild Side
Pegwell Bay is a protected site teeming with birds, making it ideal for peaceful strolls and wildlife spotting. The quiet beaches in Kent don’t get more calming than this.
7. Epple Bay: Birchington’s Low-Key Coastal Retreat
Not far from Margate, Epple Bay is quiet even in summer. Its mix of sand, rocks, and tide-exposed reef makes it a popular place for paddling, sunset watching, and dog walking.
8. Seasalter Beach: A Peaceful Escape
Located near Whitstable, Seasalter’s shingle shore and mudflats provide a peaceful retreat, especially at sunrise and sunset. Birdwatchers love it for the abundance of wildlife.
9. Swalecliffe Beach: For Peaceful Walks
This lesser-known beach has open green space and coastal trails, offering a serene walking route along the coast with far fewer visitors than neighbouring towns.
10. Beltinge Bay: Herne Bay’s Secret Shores
Situated just beyond Herne Bay, Beltinge Bay offers a rugged coastline, rock pools, and cliff-top paths. Ideal for a quiet walk with sea views.
11. Studd Hill Beach: A Cosy neighbourhood in Herne Bay
A real under-the-radar spot, Studd Hill Beach lies just west of Herne Bay. This beach backs onto a quiet residential area, and its mix of sand, shingle, and groynes makes it ideal for peaceful strolls without the crowds. There’s no promenade or arcades here, just a serene stretch of coast and views across the Thames Estuary. It’s dog-friendly and brilliant for beachcombing, especially at low tide. Locals love it for sunsets and solitude, making it one of the best-hidden beaches in Herne Bay.
12. Hampton Beach: A Family-Friendly escape in Herne Bay
A calm alternative to Herne Bay’s main beach, Hampton Beach has a family-friendly vibe without the summer crowds. It features sandy patches mixed with shingles and easy access from nearby car parks.
13. Samphire Hoe Beach: A Coastal Wonder Born of Engineering
Created from the Channel Tunnel excavation, Samphire Hoe is now a coastal haven. Great for a quiet walk and full of marine life and plants, this beach beneath the cliffs near Dover offers unique scenery that few tourists visit.
14. Shakespeare Beach: A Hidden Dover Treasure
This beach is perfect for solitude. Pebbles underfoot, dramatic cliff views, and lots of space make it one of Kent’s most peaceful beaches.
15. Kingsdown Beach: Underrated Charm Near Deal
East of Walmer Castle, Kingsdown Beach is a quiet pebbly stretch with excellent walks leading to Deal Pier. Popular with locals, it’s a relaxing coastal stop often overlooked by visitors.
16. Sandwich Bay: Exclusive and Untouched
A private-feeling beach with a toll road entry and golf course views, Sandwich Bay is peaceful and long; perfect for bike rides, walks, or shell collecting. Just make sure you don’t mind a few extra steps to get there.
17. Shellness Beach: Isle of Sheppey’s Raw Beauty
One of the most remote beaches in Kent, Shellness has a wild, untouched feel. Backed by nature reserves and used often by naturists and wild swimmers, it’s definitely for the more adventurous spirit.
18. Greatstone Beach: Golden Sands and Big Skies
This beach offers vast sandy expanses that are ideal for long walks and beach sports. It’s generally quiet, making it a great family-friendly spot.
19. Littlestone Beaches: Flat Sands and Big Skies
Next to Greatstone, this beach offers stunning sunsets, shallow tidal pools, and a quiet ambience perfect for unwinding.
20. The Warren: Folkestone’s Cliffside Secret
Hidden within Folkestone’s country park is The Warren, a natural beach with rock formations and tidal pools. Access takes effort but rewards you with unmatched views and tranquillity.
Why These Hidden Kent Beaches Are Worth Visiting
These hidden Kent beaches are more than just stretches of sand, they’re peaceful escapes into nature, ideal for walkers, birdwatchers, and anyone craving a reset. Far from the usual crowds, they offer a refreshing alternative to busy tourist spots, letting you soak up the coast at your own pace. With dramatic cliffs, quiet coves, and stunning sunsets, each one is a picture-perfect scene waiting to be captured and experienced.
Sandgeek 