Shakespeare Beach Dover Circuit

The Walk:A circular walk around Dover Western Heights, Dover sea front promenade and Shakespeare Beach

Shakespeare Beach

Route

NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely. Circular route in blue (including North Downs Way). Excursion by English Coastal Path in red.

Why do it?

Shakespeare Beach is West of Dover Harbour. It provides an alternative, more direct, walk compared to the circuitous route taken by the North Downs Way and England Coast Path around the Western Heights, allowing you to stay close to the sea.

Footbridge over railway to Shakespeare Beach

Or, combining all these routes makes an interesting circular route in its own right, including the Dover Western Heights Fortifications, and views to the Harbour and Castle.

Drop Redoubt Moat

Logistics:

For the circular walk, park at the free Western Heights car park overlooking Dover Harbour on the South Military Road.

View from Dover Heights car park

If coming from Folkestone along the NDW/England Coast Path, and wishing to continue close to the sea, having come over Shakespeare Cliff, instead of using the subway under the A20, continue along the path and descend a set of steps and cross the railway on a footbridge. Then descend more steps to the beach. Walk along the beach and eventually join a concrete track alongside a lorry park and, on the seaward side, some huts. Emerge at Lord Warden Square. Follow the Google Map along the port road pavement to the Dover sea front.

Looking down on Shakespeare Beach and railway footbridge from North Downs Way coming down from Shakespeare Cliff

Distance:

The circuit is 4 miles, including 1.5 miles along Dover promenade and Shakespeare Beach.

Challenges:

The Walk along Shakespeare Beach should only be done around low tide. The beach is narrowest at the Western end, by the railway footbridge so take care if this looks close to being submerged.