Hiker Zoe Tehrani has showcased a stunning coastal town just over an hour's train journey from London, offering a hidden beach with its own shipwreck. The town is Dover, reachable by a 66-minute train from London St Pancras, with the station a 10-minute walk from the coast.
Journey and trail details
Tehrani shared footage of climbing down a rusty ladder to a shingle beach and zigzagging across cliff trails. She mentioned a creepy tunnel that was once a smuggling route. "It's not the most scenic to get there, but at least there's a mist tunnel along the way," she said in a TikTok video. She followed signs for the White Cliffs of Dover, passed colourful houses, and ascended a hill before the trail levelled out.
Beach warnings and tips
Tehrani warned the beach is underwater at high tide and advised avoiding sitting directly below crumbling cliffs. She recommended sea shoes for navigating seaweed to swim in the Channel. "It's much nicer to get in when the tide is a little higher, so I chilled for a bit, had some lunch and then it was perfect," she added.
National Trust guidance
The White Cliffs of Dover paths are managed by the National Trust, which notes a wheelchair-friendly footpath with a staggered incline leading to a viewing point. Further paths lead to Fan Bay Deep Shelter and South Foreland Lighthouse, continuing to St Margaret's, Kingsdown, Walmer, or Deal. The Trust advises stout shoes and appropriate clothing due to uneven ground and unpredictable weather.
Public reaction
One TikTok user commented, "Worth it for the views and the challenge but the beach/water is pretty bad. And the ladder was so scary, almost vertical." Another praised, "Stunning area."
