Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

St Margaret’s Bay

Season: autumn

St Margaret’s is an idyllic village, nestling below cliffs just along from the celebrated chalk band. The resort has attracted celebrities since Victorian times, being used as a retreat from London for Noel Coward, Lord Byron and Ian Fleming, among others. The heroics of World War 2 are showcased on The Frontline Britain Trail and it’s well worth the climb from the beach to the cliff top, if only to gaze over to France across the Channel. The village is relaxed and welcoming, the bathing water is clean and it’s safe to swim here.

What the beach means to Maralyn.

Late afternoon in the autumn at St Margaret’s Bay.

Dover

Season: autumn

This is a harbour beach, mainly shingle with clean bathing water. Dover is a busy ferry terminal, but the seafront behind the beach isn’t industrial; in fact it’s quite attractive. Stretching out to the north are the eponymous, evocative white cliffs and medieval Dover Castle sits above the town. Although most visitors are passing through en route to France, those who stop awhile can enjoy the water sports centre or visit Swimmer’s Beach at the north eastern end, where cross-Channel swimmers train and acclimatise for the challenge ahead.

What the beach means to Alison and Pete. Alison’s swim is raising money for Parkinsons UK and her successful donations page is here.

By the White Cliffs of Dover in the autumn.

Hythe

Season: autumn

Backed by a promenade and a genteel town, Hythe beach is a more relaxing visitor attraction than many others in the South East, largely due to a lack of inappropriate development. There are many facilities here, such as restaurants and cafes, yet there is an unrushed atmosphere which is therapeutic. The bathing water is clean and it’s largely a pebble beach. This is a place to get away from it all and to kick back, before returning to a busier lifestyle refreshed and replenished.

What the beach means to Sandy.

A bright day in autumn at Hythe.