Long Rock Beach - Swalecliffe

Kent

Short walk out to a beach on a small flat headland - a rare quiet / rural spot on the north Kent coast. Overlooked with no cover by a new coast path.

Long Rock, Swalecliffe

via Geograph

Long Rock beach, on the north coast of Kent, is situated in a small nature reserve / headland, mid-way between Whitstable and Herne Bay. The Saxon Shore / Coast Path path runs though through the reserve, and has been re-routed right next to the beach, but seperated by a narrow river. There is almost no privacy.

At one time its use by naturists was officially recognised by Canterbury City Council, but this is no longer the case. The change in status is said to have been the result of the activities of "a few morons" who gave offence to walkers passing on the footpath. However, the "Naturism is not condoned on this beach" signs have gone.

Getting There

Satnav: CT5 2QH (Marine Crescent) or CT5 2NY (Plough Lane)

Travelling by car, Swalecliffe can be reached by way of the A2990, from junction 7 of the M2. Turn off at the Chestfield roundabout. and pass under the railway, then immediately turn to the right into St John's Road. Car parking (Plough Lane) is fairly limited, but there is more space behind the beach huts in Marine Parade towards Tankerton (west of Swaleciffe and about 1 mile from the beach).

The nearest railway station is Chestfield and Swalecliffe about 1/2 mile inland. Turn right outside the station, cross the road at the mini roundabout, turning left then right into St Johns Rd. At the of the road follow the footpath in either direction to arrive at the signs [mentioned above] which designate the "not condoned" beach.

Buses stop at the Plough Inn (1/4 mile along Plough lane where it meets the roundabout with St Johns Rd, then follow the directions given above along the footpath.)

Either way involves about a 5 minute walk, but if the tide is in one has to walk the entire length of the beach on the footpath south of the stream which divides the beach from the mainland and cross the wooden bridge which leads to the beach if coming from the Tankerton end. This is necessary for about an hour either side of high tide.

Sometimes it is possible to cross the stream at the Tankerton end by paddling, but the council dredge this once a year and it effectively cuts the beach off at that end at high tide for a few months until the sea silts it up again.

Description

The beach itself isn't the most picturesque, consisting of pebbles with sand and exposed mud at low tide. It also tends to be windy with no natural shelter, so windbreaks are useful. The tide goes out quite a long way as the beach is quite gently sloping. On the plus side it is easy to get to with no climbing or marathon walking involved, there are views of shipping in the Thames Estuary, the Isle of Sheppey (Leysdown is usually visible) and the remains of WW2 gun emplacements off the coast.

Since the re-routing of the coast path, the beach is no longer really suitable for naturists.