2021.07.20 My London
There's only one better way to cool off in a heatwave than by beelining for the nearest beach and plunging into the sea.
Londoners might be surprised to learn their nearest official nudist beach is practically on the doorstep.
To the east of the capital, sitting at the mouth of the Thames estuary on the northern coast of Kent, is the Isle of Sheppey.
The remote little island, whose name derives from the old English Sceapig meaning 'Sheep Island', has often been scorned by Londoners.
Cynics have been known to cruelly call the locals 'Swampies' and take the island for nothing more than a series of chalet parks.
But, as
one recent review points out, "More fool them – they are missing out."
To get to the hidden gem, Londoners need to cross the Swale, the tidal channel of the Thames estuary that separates the Isle of Sheppey from the rest of Kent.
There are three options to cross; directly by boat; across the Sheppey Crossing Bridge by car; or across the Kingsferry Bridge by train.
Once over the water, you can wind your way to the southern tip of the island via the singular road which takes you past Eastchurch and the traditional coastal resort of Leysdown-on-Sea.
Just a mile further on is where you will find the hidden gem that is Shellness beach, right on the fringe of the Swale national nature reserve.
Arriving at the remote beach, with its smattering of ramshackle beach chalets and old abandoned boats, is like stepping back a century in time.
Although it is quiet most of the year round, the beach is pretty well known in the area, on account of its visitors, who like to dress down.
The naturist section of the beach is actually known as “Shell Beach” and is located before you reach the private hamlet of Shellness.
Reviews of the dog-friendly sand and shingle beach laud it as "one of the most litter free places" with "acres of sand".
Visitors to Shellness have said the beach is great for a multitude of activities, including kite flying, swimming, paddling, sandcastles and picnics.
But be warned - it seems not all visitors to the area keep their coastal pastimes so tame.
"I do like the beach but sex acts in broad daylight are a bit off-putting," read one review on The Beach Guide.
"Beach is lovely but shame people ruin it by having sex on beach in front of people," another added.
Someone else wasn't unhappy with the local activity at all, however - in fact, it seems to have made their trip.
Recounting a similar experience, but in much more detail, they added: "Quite an eventful afternoon, we’re still giggling about it now.
"For this reason alone we give it an entertainment value of five stars!!"
Meanwhile, a slightly more reassuring review said most of the folk visiting the beach are "well behaved" and "friendly."
How to get there?
If you're thinking of braving the beach yourself, you can drive there from London in 1hr23mins from Ilford, via the M2 across the Sheppey Crossing.
Alternatively, non-drivers can hop on a train from London Victoria to Sittingbourne, then the bus to Leysdown-on-Sea.
From Leysdown the beach is a short walk - about 20 minutes.
We would say don't forget your swimsuit, but, frankly, you won't need it...