9 Seaside Towns In Kent To Visit From London

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 19 months ago
9 Seaside Towns In Kent To Visit From London
Looking down from a cliff onto a sandy beach with some amusement rides on it, and beach huts along the promenade
The golden sands of Viking Bay in Broadstairs. Image: Shutterstock

London has its fair share of pop-up beaches each summer, but nothing beats the proper sunshine-ice-cream-fish-and-chips-neon-lights-cheesy-music-arcade-games-donuts-on-the-pier British seaside. These Kentish seaside towns are all within easy reach of London, whether you're looking for bucket-and-spade sand or something a bit more sophisticated.

Whitstable

A row of black wooden huts on the edge of a harbour, with fishing boats in the water below
Whitstable Harbour. Image: Shutterstock

Whitstable's increased in popularity with Londoners in recent years, giving it something of a hip reputation. Its working harbour means oysters are plentiful around these parts, and the oh-so-pink Wheelers Oyster Bar gives it something of a Wes Anderson feel.

The prevalence of fishing boats and wooden fishing huts alongside the shingle beach, make for a postcard-perfect British seaside experience.

Margate

A panoramic shot of the beach at Margate, looking across the sand towards the town centre
Image: Shutterstock

Jutting out into the North Sea like the wayward limb of Kent, Margate's come a long way since the head 1982 days of Chas and Dave (and Rodney and Del Boy, seven years later), the 2011 opening of the Turner Contemporary Gallery giving it reason to polish up its act.

Of course that sandy beach — one of the best in the south-east — is still there, and packed to the rafters when the weather's half decent, and you'll still get your stick of rock or '99 if that's what you're after. But Margate's got cool, with plenty of vintage shops, cake parlours and art galleries to keep weekend visitors and Instagrammers happy.

Small boats floating on the sea in the foreground. The Margate seafront including the Turner Contemporary Gallery in the background
Image: Shutterstock

Attraction-wise, no-one's ever sure if Dreamland's open, it's closed so many time since its massive resurgence in 2011, but there are plenty of other attractions in the town. The Shell Grotto, buried under the streets is a unique and mysterious collection of more than 4 million shells lining 70ft of underground passageways. Vintage furniture shop Junk Deluxe is unique in its own way, drawing collectors from miles around, with plenty for the casual browser too. And of course, the shelter where T S Eliot wrote The Wasteland still peers out over the shore. But don't let that put you off, eh?

Broadstairs

Small boats floating in the shallows at Viking Bay, with people laying on the sandy beach., and buildings on top of the cliffs behind the beach
Viking Bay in Broadstairs. Image: Shutterstock

Sandwiched between the better-known towns of Margate and Ramsgate, Broadstairs is often overlooked, but for our money, it's the best of the three. It doesn't tend to get quite as busy as Margate (yet), but its sandy, sheltered beach Viking Bay is one of the best in the south-east. It's also got a beautiful collection of beach huts for anyone seeking that Instagram shot. And some gorgeous houses look down on the beach from the cliffs above.

If you can tear yourself away from the golden sands, head to Morelli's Gelato to cool down before exploring the town centre. The Dickens House Museum celebrates the author's links to the area (keep your eyes open for other nods to his work, including Bleak House, an interesting name for a B&B).

Ramsgate

Looking across Ramsgate Harbour, with the tide low enough to see sandbanks in the middle, and boats over the other side
Ramsgate Harbour in low tide at sunset. Image: Shutterstock

Ramsgate boasts one of the largest marinas on the south coast, so if you're looking for somewhere to dock your yacht (aren't we all?), head here. There are plenty of bars and restaurants around this part of town too. The harbour is the only one in the UK to be designated as a Royal Harbour, although what that means isn't clear — we've certainly never seen Brenda and co. taking a dip in its chilly waters.

If you've not got a yacht, there's still plenty to do around these parts. It's something of a typical seaside town, with amusement arcades,  a harbour  (worth walking to the end of the harbour arm if you're into sea views), and ample fish and chip shops.

If it's a beach day you're after, head north along the coastline to the East Cliff Promenade and Beach. Otherwise, there's plenty to do in the town centre, including exploring a network of wartime tunnels and the Maritime Museum, which tells some of the area's history, as well as displaying work by local artists, all overlooking the harbour.

Deal & Walmer

A green wooden fishing boat on a pebble beach, surrounded by fishing nets and other equipment.
A fishing boat on the beach between Walmer and Deal - you can see Deal Pier in the background. Image: Shutterstock

Deal and Walmer may have started as two separate towns — each with its own castle — but these days, it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. While Walmer Castle, which dates from Tudor times, and its gardens, are worth a visit, we recommend heading to Deal for the full seaside experience. After a refurbishment, the upper deck of Deal Pier is open again, and the town's pebble beach is available for those looking for a sunbathing spot or a dip in the sea.

Looking from the sea towards the land - a sandy-looking beach with a row of houses along the seafront
Deal seafront. Image: Shutterstock

Beyond that, it's very much your typical seaside town, albeit a smaller, more subtle version. Amusement arcades sit alongside fish and chip shops, pubs and cafes, and ample hotels and B&Bs. Yet rather than screaming their tourist-baiting credentials through neon signs, the quaint buildings are a mish-mash of pastel-hued, wooden boarded beauties.

Dymchurch and St Mary's Bay

Looking out to sea, along a groyne, at sunrise
Sunrise on Dymchurch Beach.Image: Shutterstock

One of the lesser-known entries on this list, these are two separate towns on Romney Marsh, but the mile or so walk between them is easily done on the tarmac seafront promenade. From past experience, we'd recommend bringing a kite (or purchasing one at one of the many seaside shops), if you're that way inclined.

In Dymchurch itself, the amusement park and various bars and cafes and will satisfy any rock/candy floss cravings, with lilos and toys are readily available from a number of shops with stripy awnings.

A red engine pulls a grain carriage
Image: Shutterstock

The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway shuttles steam and diesel locomotives through the area, with seven stations to choose from. For anyone having London withdrawal symptoms, the City of London pub does a cracking Sunday roast.

We're not saying it's a looker of a town; groynes pepper the length of the beach, while concrete martello towers are the main landmarks on the shore.

Herne Bay

Herne Bay pier, raised above the sea on stilts, with reflections in the water. The outline of a helter skelter can be seen at the end of the pier
Image: Shutterstock

Herne Bay literally has a museum called The Seaside Museum, so it was a shoo-in for this list. Once you've finished perusing the current exhibition, take a wander out on the pier and ride the helter skelter, or tuck into seaside snacks.

For a more peaceful time, head out on the harbour arm — otherwise known as Neptune's Arms — for views out to sea.

The back of a row of colourful beach huts, looking out towards the sea
Image: Shutterstock

The town also has some of the best beach huts in Kent, providing a psychedelic backdrop to that pebble beach.

Folkestone

Looking down onto Folkestone Harbour
Image: Shutterstock

If you want sea air and seafood, Folkestone's the one. The Harbour Arm, a former railway track has been regenerated as a public space in recent years, with plenty of restaurants and bars — and an impressive viewpoint — jutting out into the sea. Regular events take place in the summer, including live music and film screenings.

By far the best restaurant in town is Rocksalt, winner of numerous accolades and offering panoramic views over the harbour. You'll want to book in advance to make sure you get a table.

Dover

The white cliffs of Dover
Image: Shutterstock

Again, being a port town, Dover isn't a quaint seaside village — and it often hits the headline for all the wrong reasons, related to transit through its ports. There is a stretch of beach on the Esplanade, but given that it's within the Harbour, you'd be better off heading to one of the other places on this list if you want a dip.

Do wander along the seafront though, for some bracing sea air, before getting stuck onto what Dover does best — history. It's got historic buildings and attractions piled up high on top of those famous white cliffs, most of which are part of Dover Castle. It's got towers. It's got medieval tunnels. It's got a secret underground hospital. And on the other side of the harbour, views to France (on a clear day) from Western Heights

The town also has its own Tower Hamlets — nothing to do with the London borough, but somewhat reassuring if you're getting London withdrawal symptoms.

A family flying kites in front of a white lighthouse
South Foreland Lighthouse. Photo: National Trust

Head a couple of miles along the cliffs to visit South Foreland Lighthouse in the village of St Margaret's Bay. It was the first lighthouse to use an electric light, and is now owned by the National Trust.

Last Updated 16 August 2022

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