Naturist / Nudist Beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Abbot's Cliff - near Folkestone

Kent

Long easy walk, or short steep descent down into the Warren, an under-cliff, to a hidden beach overlooking the Channel to France. Reports of council hostility.

Problems - check the latest updates

The Warren at Abbot's Cliff is a long-established unofficial beach, midway between Folkestone and Dover. Though less popular than it once was, it is still used - mostly by local naturists.

Jul-23 All seems OK now - had a report in 2022 of police asking people to stop. Please let us know how you get on.

Description

The beach is made up of pebbles and shingle beneath high chalk cliffs. It is inadvisable to sit directly under them, since cliff falls are frequent. Bathing is possible at high tide, but there may be problems with rocks at low tide.

The anti nudity by-law applying to other beaches in the 'Borough of Folkestone' may not apply at The Warren, since there is a suggestion that the land in this area belongs to the railway authority - the Abbots Cliff railway tunnel runs through the chalk cliff immediately behind the beach and responsibility for the sea defences to protect this stretch from erosion seem to lie with the railways.

Abbot's Cliff is shingle, can be windswept and some people might find the very high cliff "backdrop" a bit intimidating. There are occasional falls of chalk! Although it is possible to park a car and gain access from Samphire Hoe (except at high tide!), an alternative way to get there is by walking along the sea wall from the Eastern Pleasure Beach off Wear Bay Road, Folkestone. It's a two-mile trek but remains accessible irrespective of tides.

Getting There

Google Map

The beach is between Samphire Hoe Country Park and 'The Warren' Country Park - an undercliff at the end of Folkestone's seafront. There are 3 ways of getting there

From Samphire Hoe Country Park (satnav: CT17 9FL, pay and display car parking). A short walk on shingle. May be cut off at high tide. Samphire Hoe was constructed from the 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk dug out of the Channel Tunnel and deposited below the famous White cliffs of Dover. It is accessible by the public via single track tunnel controlled by traffic lights which crosses over the Kent Coast railway line. Visitor facilities are provided including car-parking, toilets and a cafe. From here, walk west (facing the sea, turn right), and walk at the base of the cliffs.
From Folkestone (Satnav: CT19 6AT, Wear Bay Road) If you are prepared for a one-and-a-half-mile walk or cycle ride, continue from Folkestone Eastern Pleasure Beach to the end of the seafront. Leave the beach, and head up towards the Martello Tower, then down to the 'Warren' (signposted), and follow the concrete "promenade" all the way to it's end. Free on-street parking is possible near the Eastern Beach and there is a cliff-top paying car park (but this usually closes about 6pm - so check if you plan to stay late!). Note that the road (off Wear Bay Road) leading down to the warren and campsite is private.
From Capel-le-Ferne (Satnav: CT18 7HP) (by New Dover Road / Old Dover Road). Free parking. Two safe but very steep path down the cliffs to the concrete promenade. And a very steep 500 feet back up! Both paths down lead to the bridge over the railway line. One leaves the cliff top path just behind the trailer park, the other starts by the 'Cliff top cafe' (stunning channel views!). At the bottom, turn left along the concrete promenade, and walk for 5 mins. Just past the end of the concrete.

Revised

Jun 2022

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Comments

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Ken C

23-Jul-20

Leah and I were there 23/07/23. Access ladder still there and secure…despite the previous warnings other than fishermen and a few textiles wandering through spent an lovely few hours naked..Leah loves swimming but the sea was a bit dumpy so only a paddle really. No obvious signs of the council or Police trying to enforce any “laws”. It’s a fair walk from either end and I suspect its still in the to hard basket. We do love this place long may it be used.
Sarah G

14-Jun-20

Update the council actually own the Beach there so they can apply there bylaws. We checked with the land registery and they have confirm this today. Rail authorities don't own the beach which has been a myth. We were told by council there starting to crackdown on naturist using the beach due to school kids and scouts visiting it and hiking groups. The next few days there sending patrols to warn people sadly
Sarah G

13-Jun-20

The council and Police said its not a nudist beach at Abotts Cliff beach . Me and my husband got a verbal warning yesterday from the police and they said next time they will caution us if we strip off again on that beach again .Council told us rail authorities own the cliff land only not the beach. They also advise us to email any website to let them known its not a nudist beach and will talk to anyone whoever if they have a issue .We have Police ref number given (redacted)
Philip Roberts

07-Sep-20

I have been there 2 times, and enjoyed my self, I like to walk up and down in the nude near the sea , seams clear my head. It is a lovely beach, I would more sand but you can’t have everything . People seem to be lovely
Chris Russell

Aug-20

Went for first time walked from samphire home verey enjoyable textile free day friendly people
James Wright

Jul-20

Absolutely delightful spot, went there for the first time tonight. By the time I arrived (6.20 pm owing to work) there was only one other naturist, a guy who appears to be living there in a semi permanent tent. There was a textile couple with a teenage lad having a bbq and a couple of single guys in shorts, and a textile walker came by. I moved a respectful distance from the family and swam for a good forty minutes, and no one batted an eyelid. I guess it is busier during the day. Walked from Folkestone along metalled seafront, but returned via the steep steps and the clifftop path. Around an hour each way, but I enjoy walking nearly as much as skinny dipping so it was no hardship. I will return for another evening dip. half an hour extra drive for then leysdown, but more chilled and the swimming tidal window is wider
Kevin Elks

Sep-20

It is a lovely beach, the shingle is fine and easy to walk on.
Phil Critchley

May-20

Yes my friend I used it regularly and I have been approached for a chat by females walking by asking about Sandford How they just walk off giggling.
UK Naturist Beaches

Aug-20

Great beach. Had a nice community vibe. A dozen people there, August midweek, on a sunny day.
Robert Aldred

Oct-20

2014- A very good beach. I use it frequently. I enjoy the walk from the cliff top cafe at Capel le ferne. Some regular users have been going there for decades and say it was more people using it years ago. Seems to be mainly older gay men using it now but you do get the occasional couple. Would be nice to get the numbers up again. Anyone that hasn't been here should give it a try. It's one of my favorite beaches as it has very natural surroundings and is peaceful. Because you need to make an effort to get there you don't get the perverts wondering about. Ideal for first timers and female naturists.
Michael Müller

Jan-20

August 24,2013- It`s was a nice and safe atmosphere there. Nude males and females of all Ages. In the evening [redacted]
michael

Aug-20

beautiful beach ,so quiet apart from the sound of the waves , ideal place to relax textile free
Mr Newby

Jul-20

A much shorter walk from Samphire Hoe (toilets and teabar available) - however, look up the tide tables - wading the gap is not recomended, there are a few wind shelters near the cliff about mid-beach. What a place - just the sound of the waves and varied bird life flying off the cliffs.
Steve Griggs

May-20

The beach is still used although there are some walkers from Samphire Hoe. You do get the occasional naturist on the sandy beach at the eastern end of the Warren itself-they don't seem to get any hassle.
Anonymous

Oct-20

...a long walk from Folkestone on a very hot day, (about 1 hour). Beautiful beach and views with secluded spots between the fallen chalk boulders.
Anonymous

Sep-20

[from] the former East Cliff Pavilion in Wear Bay Rd. Folkestone.. I used to go on my bike past the Old Martello Tower, down past the end of the railway Tunnel, past the Campsite. and through the gate down onto the Sea Wall & along to the end. About 10/15 minutes. A Bit longer coming back up the Hill. THIS WAY DOES NOT GET CUT OFF BY THE TIDE. "
Anonymous

Aug-20

"...it may be a bit longer in distance to samphire but its flatter and getting back would be easyer. then again you need to time your day around the tides.
Anonymous

Aug-20

Tried the walk down from the Cafe at Capel today. It was a lovely walk, through the woods. Coming back was a bit of a killer ! you need good shoes, and be fairly fit, as its a steep climb back up. Good fun though ! Took about 40 mins to get there, and im sure a little longer to return, so not too bad at all. My only concern re parking at Samphire Hoe, and walking along the beach is that it may be a bit tougher and awkward on the old feet walking some distance on shingle ...
Anonymous

Aug-20

..if your coming from dover is it not better even to park in Samphire Hoe car park and then just walk from there ? I'm sure thats even less of a trip.
Anonymous

Aug-20

...I found a way down from Capel that is a bit easier. It just depends where you are coming from in the first place. there is a cafe on the cliff tops that has a path going down to the woods below. once down there take any left turns in the path there are untill you come to the railway bridge. once over the bridge go right then the first left turn and you go down a slope onto the sea wall about 4/5ths the way there.
Anonymous

Aug-20

...nice, once we got there, but it took a good hour to walk from Folkestone end. We parked free in Wear Bay Road, and walked over the edge of the golf course, then down a small steep path to the Beach. It was a hot day, with a mixture of men and ladies there. The only off putting thing for us was the long walk in the very hot sunshine.
Anonymous

Aug-20

[how long does it take to walk to the naturist beach from Folkestone?] It depends where you start from. If you go by car and can park in Wear Bay, it's about 30-45 minutes to walk down and along. From anywhere else in Folkestone, it's longer. BUT there's a big 'but'. You need to time your arrival at the end of the concrete for 2 hours [either side of] high tide. Once you're down, you're cut off for four hours or so. Before Samphire Hoe [was built] this was the guarantee of total privacy."
Anonymous

Jul-20

My friend Clare and I went to Samphire Hoe for the first time. its a lovely beach, there were some others there a few younger girls topless and one or two fully nude. It was our first time, we strated topless then got brave and went for it! Was fantastic and we will definately be returning...
Anonymous

Jul-20

..much of the rubbish you see at the beach is mostly washed up by the tide from the ships and it does get cleaned up.. it's a very nice peaceful beach and well out of the way... there are some nice rock pools to swim in when the tide is out also when the tide is out there is a nice sandy part of the beach...
Anonymous

Jun-20

Spent a very enjoyable day at Abbotts Cliff last weekend. Went from Samphire Hoe end. Nice beach, good relaxed atmosphere, both young and old nudists there. Excellent sunbathing! Will definately return.
Anonymous

Jan-20

The Folkestone side is a fairly long walk, much shorter if you come from Samphire Hoe. I have actually started to use Samphire Hoe side more as... there is a burnt out car Folkestone side and lots of rubbish. The beach is much cleaner at Samphire Hoe. Again, men and girls use this part so still a nice safe, relaxed atmosphere.
Anonymous

Jul-20

I went to Abbots Cliff naturist beach last summer a few times and each time there were both nude men and girls. It gave a nice safe atmosphere and was great fun!
Anonymous

Aug-20

The beach is still there, still nudist. Mostly men...although there was a grandfather with his grandchildren. Other than that though, mostly gay men. The sea was quite warm, although I would warn people about the rocks in the sea. But it was my first time to a nudist beach and I'm definately returning!
Anonymous

Jul-20

I was last at the Warren about a month ago and it was reasonably populated. There are large areas of "pea gravel" sized stones which I find better to sand as they don't stick to your sun oil.