St Mary's Bay in Kent boasts a picturesque shoreline of sand and shingle, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The beach's official water quality rating, as tested by the Environment Agency, is Sufficient, making it a great spot for swimming and water activities. During the summer months, the water temperature at St Mary's Bay can be expected to reach around 18°C, perfect for a refreshing dip.
Hand-picked holiday cottages & coastal retreats near St Mary's Bay (Kent) (Folkestone and Hythe) & surrounds
Rural Retreats
From £691
Fernwood offers families and couples a perfect base to explore the beautiful Kent countryside with its many picturesque villages and stunning coastline. Located on the edge of a...
Rural Retreats
From £574
This charming former Kent ragstone coach house feels like something straight out of a fairytale. Peacefully located in a quiet hamlet near Sevenoaks, this beautiful area provide...
Rural Retreats
From £443
The Mews is a beautiful cottage situated in the heart of the pretty village of Goudhurst. Tucked away behind the main street, this charming bolthole offers a tranquil and warmin...
Rural Retreats
From £634
On the North Foreland Lighthouse site above Broadstairs, this delightful cottage features entrance hall, fully fitted kitchen, sitting room, dining room, bathroom, double bedroo...
Rural Retreats
From £1,079
Just moments from Whitstable’s seafront, 2 Pier Avenue is a stylish and spacious coastal retreat, perfect for relaxed gatherings by the sea. With light filled living spaces, bea...
Rural Retreats
From £428
A charming, detached, weather-boarded cottage, set in a secluded location on the edge of the historic village of Wittersham, Tufton Croft is as romantic for couples as it is ide...
Rural Retreats
From £645
On the North Foreland Lighthouse site above Broadstairs, this delightful cottage features entrance hall, fully fitted kitchen, sitting room, dining room, bathroom and two double...
Rural Retreats
From £654
Nestled amongst farmland and woodland, Hensill Farmhouse is a wonderfully isolated, 19th century cottage incorporating elements from a neighbouring Tudor house. Situated on the ...
The shoreline consists primarily of sand, shingle. Sediment type dictates underfoot comfort, wave energy absorption, and the water's clarity when currents stir up the seabed.
Water complies with minimum legal safety limits. However, higher bacterial levels are occasionally recorded, indicating moderate vulnerability to runoff.
This bathing water is generally resilient and has a low risk of quality degradation after heavy summer storm events.
Tested weekly by the Environment Agency England for bacteria levels (E. coli & Intestinal Enterococci) between May and September.
Monitored as a coastal beach. Coastal beaches are subject to tidal flows and marine dilution, whereas inland lakes/rivers suffer from low water circulation, meaning bacteria can linger longer.
Southern Water Services Limited is the regional utility responsible for waste water treatment, sewage infrastructure, and storm overflow management in this catchment area.
Officially designated as a protected bathing water site in 1988. This designation mandates regular public health monitoring.
Governed under local district sanitation and environmental safety regulations in the Folkestone and Hythe area.
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