Beryllium-10 is a rare isotope that only forms near to the Earth surface, allowing rock surfaces to be dated. In this paper we develop a numerical model for the evolution of shore platforms and associated ¹⁰Be concentrations to explore the potential for this method to reveal long-term rates of sea cliff retreat. Tides, sea level, cliffs and beaches all modify how rapidly ¹⁰Be accumulates on the shore platform, but there is great potential to measure rates of cliff retreat and platform erosion.