Getting There

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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, There is also a nearby sewage works which "can smell quite unpleasant on occasion if the wind is from the SW" . 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.

Despite the change of status and council disapproval the beach continues to be used by a number of naturists:

Selected Visitor Comments

April 27, 2009  - "The "Naturism is not condoned" signs have gone, as have the kiteboarders. The beach has grown significantly over the last 2 years with 2 new ridges of shingle spits having been deposited by the sea, affording more protection from the wind. The beach is still in use, mainly by the same few. No unpleasant smells from the sewage works in recent years."

June 15, 2009  -  "Only the sign at the Tankerton end of the beach is missing. The one at the Swalecliffe (eastern) end is still there. Whether or not the kitesurfers are there depends on the wind direction, and strength. Some days this year there have been more than ever. Note that the Swalecliffe Brook has just been dredged (June '09), so, at least at high water, you don't get as many people walking through the naturist area."

June 16, 2009  - "I visited [Long Rock] last year and found a few men who had dug out the shingle to lay in. One chap was very pleasant and helpful and told me about discretion and a good place to settle but another came over soon after and was very nasty saying they did not want "intruders" there. I just wanted a quiet place with my book and to enjoy a bit of sunshine for an hour or so but felt intimidated and left. I guess if more people use this, rather like Botany Bay, it will keep it established for future use by like minded folk. I do intend to visit again."