Samphire Hoe
Samphire Hoe
4.5
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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See what travelers are saying
- Geoff HSissinghurst, United Kingdom18,104 contributionsThis was our first visit to Samphire Hoe but it certainly won't be our last. There are great walks on well maintained paths, which are both wheelchair and pushchair friendly (although a little steep in places), with benches where you can sit and enjoy the silence. If you don't fancy walking through countryside but, instead, would prefer to walk by the sea, there's a very wide level sea wall. There's plenty of parking (pay and display and very reasonably priced when we were there (£2 for all day)). Toilet facilities and a small cafe (Spindrift Cafe) are near the entrance.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 2, 2024
- MLRO777London, United Kingdom23 contributionsExcellent place for a nice, quiet walk to the pebbly beach. We saw a shark fish on the way! The man at the guide hut created a little challenge for our kids which they loved. Took 1.5 hrs in total.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 4, 2024
- Holly's_Parents16 contributionsWorth a trip through the little tunnel to this hidden gem. Lovely quiet walks with superb white cliffs and uninterrupted sea views. A great little cafe, but not always open, so 🤞for ☕️ & 🥪Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 19, 2024
- Philip M9 contributionsA fascinating area being newly established and yet having a stunning collection of orchids. We were delighted to see bee and pyramidal orchids close up and the spotted deaths were everywhere. The only disappointment was that the refreshment room was not open at 10.45 when we left. A great experience.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
404 reviews
Excellent
212
Very good
145
Average
38
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Humbug123
London50 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Such a peaceful and tranquil space next to the coast. Saw lots of different ground nesting birds and wildlife enjoying the coast and dipping pond.
Brilliant way to spend a few hours.
Got back to the car park and was looking forward to a drink at the cafe next to the car park.
Turns out it is run by a man who turns up late in a very dirty t-shirt, with holes under the arm pits who looked very grumpy to have to open up at all. Both a park warden and another visitor told us that he is late every day and doesn’t rock up until nearly 12pm even though it’s meant to be open from early in the morning. Whilst waiting for him to set up, another person waiting advised us to leave as they saw him doing something unhygienic. Not a surprise given his appearance. We went to the Battle of Britain Memorial gardens next and was so pleased we did as as well as it being a lovely place to visit, the cafe there was really nice and run by polite, friendly, cleanly dressed staff and a wonderful view from the cafe over the site.
Brilliant way to spend a few hours.
Got back to the car park and was looking forward to a drink at the cafe next to the car park.
Turns out it is run by a man who turns up late in a very dirty t-shirt, with holes under the arm pits who looked very grumpy to have to open up at all. Both a park warden and another visitor told us that he is late every day and doesn’t rock up until nearly 12pm even though it’s meant to be open from early in the morning. Whilst waiting for him to set up, another person waiting advised us to leave as they saw him doing something unhygienic. Not a surprise given his appearance. We went to the Battle of Britain Memorial gardens next and was so pleased we did as as well as it being a lovely place to visit, the cafe there was really nice and run by polite, friendly, cleanly dressed staff and a wonderful view from the cafe over the site.
Written August 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitling2k
York, UK49 contributions
Apr 2022
Great spot to see the cliffs. It's a lovely peaceful; spot for a nice walk if exploring the area. The café is reasonably priced, and parking is cheap too. Just be careful if you plan to use your phone to pay for parking - we had no signal. However, the cafe owner was happy to give us £1 cashback from some ice creams to cover the parking.
Written April 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ziggy1973
London, UK332 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
There is not much information about this place except it’s a nature reserve with nice scenery. When we got here we realised there’s really not much to it. A very long concrete wall where people can fish. Or you can choose the grassy path which is more scenic. This path leads to the beach under the Cliffs and it would have been great to walk to the end, but it’s a really long way. People who cannot walk long distances or those in wheelchair will have difficulty! It really is lovely to walk along this path but it got too hot for us to reach the end so we turned back. Due to Covid the cafe and shop was closed so please bring your own drink and food if you spending a large part of the day here.
Written August 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sparkyKent
kent339 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
From the moment you enter the tunnel it’s rather exciting. As you exit it reveals a green nature reserve surround by sea, and cliffs, such a surprise the first time you visit.
During the building of the channel tunnel the waste that was left over was put to good use by making this attractive area where you can go for a walk, walk the dog, there’s even cows on one side. Or walk down and go into the look out for great views of the sea, or simply buy a tea or hot chocolate and sit in your car on a cold day. There’s interesting information about construction and a memorial for the men who sacrificed their lives in the building of the Channel tunnel.
Pay for parking in the shop. We hunted for ticket machine outside there wasn’t one. Good hot chocolate, nice chai and tea from the shop. This visit was freezing as the wind really blows here but in Summer months it’s beautiful.
Allow 45 minutes for a walk around.
During the building of the channel tunnel the waste that was left over was put to good use by making this attractive area where you can go for a walk, walk the dog, there’s even cows on one side. Or walk down and go into the look out for great views of the sea, or simply buy a tea or hot chocolate and sit in your car on a cold day. There’s interesting information about construction and a memorial for the men who sacrificed their lives in the building of the Channel tunnel.
Pay for parking in the shop. We hunted for ticket machine outside there wasn’t one. Good hot chocolate, nice chai and tea from the shop. This visit was freezing as the wind really blows here but in Summer months it’s beautiful.
Allow 45 minutes for a walk around.
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura B
5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Turning up with a group of 23 we had booked the use of the education centre to warm up in, after a cold and damp walk. They lit the fire for us and gave us all the refreshments we needed. It was a brilliant environment, outside the winds were raging but the scenery was as spectacular as ever, as we were kept cosy and warm.
Thank you to the staff who kept us warm and welcomed.
We’ll definitely be back! X
Thank you to the staff who kept us warm and welcomed.
We’ll definitely be back! X
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
1 contribution
Jul 2021
Very dog UNfriendly. I remember being able to walk all over the area to explore and take pictures. Now instructions are to stay on the single path and keep dogs on a lead.
I realise this is a wild life protection area, but draconian measures like this mean I won;t be returning to this my local area. Our grandchildren who all have dogs, also will be warned of rules, so doubt if any of them will be visiting.
The place is fine for walkers to view the grass and cliffs, but not for general recreation and enjoyment with families.
I realise this is a wild life protection area, but draconian measures like this mean I won;t be returning to this my local area. Our grandchildren who all have dogs, also will be warned of rules, so doubt if any of them will be visiting.
The place is fine for walkers to view the grass and cliffs, but not for general recreation and enjoyment with families.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ninja45
Dover, UK81 contributions
Apr 2022
It’s a lovely place. Made from the channel tunnel digs.. nature is everywhere…animals, plants, the cliffs, the sea… we often walk the wall one way to the beach and if low tide often go further… to the water in Folkestone once.. you pass a few little bays and woodlands. We walk back the hilly route past the little ponds, quite often greeted by cows sheep or a horse. The beach itself is also a good place to sit and relax Although toilets are then a fair walk so need to plan toilet stops. The snack place is reasonable and usually parking can be found, on occasion it has been very busy and we couldn’t stop until. Others left.
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dani B
Folkestone, UK18 contributions
Aug 2020
A lovely place to walk and look out to France. The cliffs are very impressive up close. In the grass area there are sheep and cows so dogs must be kept on leads. There are plenty of bins for dog poo and rubbish. The paths are steep in some places so may cause difficulties for wheelchairs and prams. There is a lovely little beach at the far end of the reserve.
The car park is a pay and display requiring cash only.
There was a cafe that was open but we didn’t use.
The car park is a pay and display requiring cash only.
There was a cafe that was open but we didn’t use.
Written September 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell H
15 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
One of those places you wish you’d discovered before. It’s worth my 80 minute trip just for a picnic alone as it’s just so unique, both in how it looks & how it was built. It’s not a huge park which is probably good for those who can’t walk far. Samphire Hoe has become one of my favourite “chill out” places and a park you will look forward to going back to time and time again.
Written May 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anne g
8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Really different coastal walk . Easy walking along well made path down to beach and return along sea wall .
Plenty of picnic tables , small coffee shop with spotless toilets . Cat park £2.0
Don’t be put off by heavy traffic approaching Dover , although lorry lane was queuing lane to Hoe clear .
Will return and include visit to Battle of Britain museum next door .
Plenty of picnic tables , small coffee shop with spotless toilets . Cat park £2.0
Don’t be put off by heavy traffic approaching Dover , although lorry lane was queuing lane to Hoe clear .
Will return and include visit to Battle of Britain museum next door .
Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I think the closest one is 'Little Satmar Campsite & Holiday Park' in Folkestone (Winehouse Ln, Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone CT18 7JF), it's about 10-15mins drive. Hope this helps.
Written June 19, 2019
Is it wheelchair friendly -as in I'll be pushing one!? Thanks
Written August 13, 2018
I think it may be, if I recall correctly most of the paths would be wide enough, especially on the "front". However, to be certain see if you can get in touch with the visitor centre there for them to confirm. Good luck and have a nice trip
Written September 1, 2018
What’s the deal with the rude guy that lives in the shack/hut at the end of the beach? Told us to get off his driveway! The fact my 9 year of son and I were stood on the middle of the beach was a bit confusing, and how the hell is it a driveway when you can’t get a car anywhere near it?
Written August 12, 2018
I saw him having a go at some people when I was there mid August !
Written September 5, 2020
is it possible to hire mobility scooter?
Written February 1, 2018
I think you could contact tourist information and ask for advice
Written April 18, 2018
How can I get here using public transportation? Also willing to bike, weather permitting!
Written October 29, 2016
Not sure about public transport but cycling is a possibility but the main road before the turn off is very busy with freight traffic and when you leave the main road it is important you wait for the traffic lights as the tunnel down to Samphire Hoe is narrow and you wouldnt come off too good if traffic was coming the other way!
Written November 23, 2016
Can you use disposable bbq's on the beach at samphire hoe?
Written June 4, 2015
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