Even the farthest reaches of this southeast county, which is filled with mediaeval villages, picturesque countryside, and gorgeous beaches, are easily accessible in a day from London. Natural landscapes, climates, and man-made sights along the Kentish coast offer a stunning array of variety. Dungeness, Britain’s only desert, features eerie moonscapes; historic seaside towns like Folkestone; and enclaves known for kite-surfing and water sports, such as Tankerton, just outside the gastronomic town of Whitstable. Moreover, if you’re planning on making a weekend of it, Kent also has some fantastic hotels. For those who feel the need to answer the call of the sea and sand, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 beaches in Kent that you simply must see.
A Stone in Broadstairs’s Paved Bay
If you take a short drive south from Broadstairs’ main promenade, you’ll find a secluded, Blue Flag–awarded stretch of beach perfect for spreading out your beach blanket. Against a backdrop of chalk cliffs, this beach attracts families who come to rock pool or let their kids run wild before strolling the boardwalk into Broadstairs proper for ice cream and chips. It’s possible to bring your dog to the beach (although they aren’t allowed between May and September), and a seasonal lifeguard is there.
Folkestone’s Glorious Sunshine
This beach has all the makings of a perfect sunny day trip: real sand, real waves, real dunes. However, the former Folkestone-Boulogne ferry port is now home to a variety of hip stores and eateries in Folkestone’s Harbour. After a refreshing swim, refuel with salt-cod fritters or baby squid cooked in garlic at Pick Up Pintxos, a Basque-inspired establishment we voted one of the greatest beach shack restaurants in the UK.
At Broadstairs’ Botany Bay
One of the most photogenic beaches on this list because to the stacks of chalk that rise from the sand. There is a large stretch of beach (though some of it is inaccessible during high tide, so verify tide times before you go) and a small eatery for those who get hungry. Finding fossils in the sand is a fun activity for kids (and grown-up Jurassic Park fans) and swimming is safe thanks to the lifeguard who is on duty from the end of May to the beginning of September.
Romney Marsh and Dungeness
Dungeness is not your average beach destination thanks to its bizarre landscape, which includes large stretches of shingle and open skies. Magnum photographer Peter Marlow and filmmaker Derek Jarman both called it home. Artists Helen Gillian and Paddy Hamilton have tiny open studios there. After perusing the open studios and gazing at Jarman’s garden beneath the power station, stop by Dungeness Snack Shack for some fresh seafood during the summer months. The Gallivant is a Hamptons-inspired beach property located just twenty minutes up the coast, past Camber Sands. It features a 5 p.m. wine hour and all-day Elevensies, and its tongue-and-groove panelling and sandy colours are straight out of the Hamptons.
Birchington and Minnis Bay
Located on the North Kent coast, Minnis is widely regarded as the best beach the region has to offer. Stand-up paddleboarders, kayakers, and wakeboarders frequent this area; families enjoy the Victorian tidal pool; and cyclists using the Viking Coastal Trail can stop here for a rest after travelling the four miles to Margate. You can always locate a secluded spot on the beach to enjoy the sunset in peace. The epitome of versatility.
Sandwich; Pegwell Bay
Pegwell Bay Country Park, located within a national nature reserve, is a wonderful spot for those interested in nature, including birdwatchers, geology enthusiasts, and those in need of a wheelchair-accessible bird hide. It has miles of coastline that are home to rare species of migrating waders and wildfowl and a sandy stretch popular with families near the Victorian resort town of Ramsgate. Towards Sandwich, the beach gives way to a marshy nature reserve flanked by chalky white cliffs, with grassland footpaths, hidden picnic spots, and miles of coastline.
In Joss Bay, Broadstairs
When the sun is low in the sky and the surfers have tousled their hair, Joss Bay could be in California. The parking lot is full of old campervans. The most well-known school in the area, Joss Bay Surf School caters to beginners and is a great place to take instruction. Since the bay is between the two towns, after a day at the beach, visitors can stop by Morelli’s in Broadstairs for gelato or Peter’s Fish Factory in Margate for a traditional fish supper.
Hythe Beach, Hythe
Located in the district of Hythe Dymchurch, Hythe Beach is a classic bucket-and-spade village with plenty of charm and a brand-new £60 million sea wall. Although tourists flock to its golden dunes, people who are looking for peace and quiet know to head to Hythe instead. You can find this pristine pebble beach halfway between the lively towns of Folkestone and Dymchurch. Wheelchairs are welcome on the two-mile promenade, and while development is low in comparison to other resort towns, you can still find seafood shacks and ice-cream vendors to fuel your day of picnicking, windsurfing, and sunbathing.
Specifically, St. Margaret’s Bay in Dover
The coasts of Dover are a bit more of a trek from London than Ramsgate or Sheerness, but they’re worth it for the stunning white-chalk cliffs and much smaller crowds. St. Margaret’s Bay is the most famous starting location for the 21-mile swim across the English Channel to France. Relax on the sand and shingle of this tranquil beach, which is the first place in mainland Britain to see the sun rise.
Whitstable; Tankerton
Whitstable is a charming seaside village that boasts pastel-colored cottages and oyster shacks, as well as a shingle beach ideal for quick strolls. Tankerton, which is not far away, is a better choice for those who prefer a quieter beach experience due to its picturesque promenade, grassy slopes perfect for lounging, and ample shingle area. At low tide, a natural causeway called The Street provides a pleasant trek out to sea surrounded by rock pools. This seaside cottage is one of several charming Airbnbs available for a weekend getaway.
We’re on the Beach at Deal Castle.
Deal Castle, erected by Henry VIII to stave off European invaders, is one of the grandest Tudor artillery castles in England, and a great way to mix up a trip to the beach with some serious history. In addition, it looks out over a lovely open shingle area that attracts many picnickers, kayakers, and windsurfers. In addition to the traditional coastal fare, the historic district of Deal is a delight to explore, thanks to its array of chic delis and cosy record stores. Hang out at The Rose, a trendy boutique hotel with shell-print décor, freestanding baths, and a summer menu created in collaboration with Nuno Mendes.
Isle of Sheppey, Sheerness Beach
Day trippers taking the train will also enjoy this sandy and pebble beach, which is backed by grassy parkland and has direct access to the boardwalk. If sunbathing on the shingle doesn’t sound appealing, the gardens that separate the town centre from the sea in Sheerness are a great alternative. On the walk back to the station, Gigi’s Café is a great family-run spot to refuel before boarding the train for home.
City of Margate, Margate Main Sands
Margate’s beach has been a popular destination for city inhabitants without a car who don’t mind a kitschy mood and summertime crowds for more than a century, when visitors can be seen pouring out of the train station onto the sand. Dreamland, one of the oldest amusement parks in the UK, sits at the centre of the beachfront promenade and is flanked by penny arcades. You can discover a collection of street-food booths to the west of the station (Po’Boy serves up delicious fish and chips), and if the bustle of the main sands gets to be too much, the throng drop away at Westbrook Bay and farther.
conclusion
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Are there any sandy beaches in Kent?
Within the seaside town of Broadstairs, which has an impressive seven sand-filled beaches and bays, is Joss Bay. This sandy beach in Kent is sheltered by steep chalk cliffs and backs on to the North Foreland golf course
Does Kent have a beach?
Kent is home to more than 50 beaches in total, attracting thousands of people to the county’s seaside towns every summer to enjoy rock pools, visit arcades and build sandcastles