Walpole Bay

Visit Walpole Bay

Walpole Bay is a distinctive and historic beach in Cliftonville, just east of Margate, best known for its enormous tidal pool and long promenade. It’s a beach with character – part seaside retreat, part living history – and attracts a mix of locals, swimmers, walkers and curious visitors.

Walpole Bay is a sandy beach in Margate backed by Queens Promenade and Oval Gardens. To the west of the beach is the large tidal pool popular with swimmers and to the East if you walk along the promenade you reach Hodges Gap leading to Palm Bay.

The beach itself is a blend of sand and rock, with exposed chalk reefs and seaweed-covered rocks visible at low tide. It’s a great place for kids to explore if they love rockpools and marine life. When the tide is in, much of the sand disappears under water, but at low tide, a wide beach opens up with plenty of room for a stroll or paddle.

What makes Walpole Bay unique is the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, one of the largest in the UK. It was built in the 1930s and remains a popular (if bracing!) swimming spot to this day.

The pool fills with seawater during high tide and retains it as the tide recedes, providing a sheltered space for swimming even when the sea pulls back. It’s especially popular with open-water swimmers and has a bit of a cult following among cold-water enthusiasts.

There are no lifeguards on duty, so anyone using the tidal pool or venturing into the sea does so at their own risk. As always, caution is advised, especially with the rocky seabed and changing tides.

Parking is available along Fifth Avenue and nearby residential roads, and it’s usually free. Steps and sloped paths lead down from the promenade to the beach, so access is reasonable, though not fully flat.

The quirky Edwardian hotel overlooks the bay, a great place to stay for the weekend or have a meal, cream tea after a walk along the promenade.

Facilities are basic but available – there are public toilets near the beach and bins for rubbish. The area around the Walpole Bay Hotel offers some local charm, and Margate’s main town centre is just a short walk or drive away if you’re after cafés, fish and chips, or a bit more hustle and bustle.

The beach has a peaceful, slightly old-fashioned feel – it’s not flashy, but it has plenty of character and is a good choice if you’re after a quiet swim, a thoughtful walk, or a bit of sea air without the crowds.

Dogs are allowed on Walpole Bay beach all year round, which is a big plus for dog walkers. The wide promenade and cliff-top lawns above the beach also make it a great area for a longer walk, with scenic views stretching along the coast.