Greatstone offers a two-mile sandy beach, water sports, coastal paths and an unusual technological history. When planning your visit, you can choose between the beach and water, walks through the coastal landscape, and the Sound Mirrors as different points of focus.
Beach and Water Sports
The sandy beach in Greatstone is two miles long. Seasonal restrictions apply to dogs on the beach. If you’re planning to bring a dog, check the current dates with the District Council before your visit.
Infinity Sport Kitesurfing is based in Greatstone-on-Sea and offers professional kitesurfing courses for all skill levels. It also offers stand-up paddleboard lessons and SUP hire, as well as wingfoil lessons and equipment hire. The options therefore vary by sport and format: kitesurfing courses cover all skill levels, while lessons and hire are available for SUP and wingfoiling. If a particular course or hire option is important for your stay, arrange the timing directly with the provider.
Dunes, Lakes and Walks
The Greatstone Dunes lie between Greatstone Beach and the coast road and stretch across almost the entire length of Greatstone. They are designated as a SSSI because of their rare species, including the caterpillars of the brown-tail moth. The England Coast Path runs through part of the dunes. The Greatstone Lakes lie west of the village, within the Dungeness National Nature Reserve.
The Greatstone Shingle Trail takes about an hour to walk. Ten information boards focus on the wildlife you can observe, and the route passes through a small part of the Dungeness Nature Reserve. Another walk follows the Greatstone Lakes along the route of the now-disappeared Southern Region railway line. The return route is just over two miles.
The two descriptions offer different guidance when choosing a route: the Shingle Trail is described as taking about an hour, while the walk by the lakes is described in terms of its return distance and the route of the former railway line. This can help you decide whether a time estimate or a specific distance is more useful for your plans.
The Greatstone Sound Mirrors
The Greatstone Sound Mirrors are on an island in the Greatstone Lakes, within the Dungeness National Nature Reserve. They include 20-foot, 30-foot and 200-foot versions. Three acoustic early-warning devices were built in Greatstone-on-Sea as part of an experimental system to detect aircraft by amplifying sound. Their different sizes and technological purpose give Greatstone a distinctive historical connection alongside its beach and coastal landscape.
Getting Here and Practical Information
The Jolly Fisherman car park in Greatstone has 165 spaces. As capacity may change, check the current parking information before travelling. The Changing Tides Coastal Centre opened in 2026 and has public toilets and a refurbished car park.
Stagecoach bus services connect Greatstone and Romney Sands with Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Hastings, Rye and Hythe. As routes and operators may change, check the current timetable when planning your journey.
Discover more destinations: Hunton, Wrotham, Maidstone, Egerton, Smarden, Wingham, Ash, Cranbrook.
For the broader travel guide: Kent.
