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Places to visitThe 7 Best Beaches in Kent
Is there anything better than relaxing on a beach (preferably with ice cream in hand) on a hot, sunny day?
Kent is home to more than 50 beaches and is one of the longest coastlines in England, so it could be a little overwhelming when it comes to deciding which one to lay your towel on. Fortunately for you, we’ve listed 7 of the best beaches in Kent that are a must-visit if you’re in the area.
The nicest beaches in Kent
From the golden sands of Margate to the serene shores of Botany Bay, each beach offers a the perfect balance between natural beauty and recreational activities. Whether you're you want family-friendly fun or a spot for relaxation, Kent's beaches have something for everyone. Read on for some our favourites.
Botany Bay, Broadstairs
This Blue Flag beach in Kent is the northernmost of seven bays in Broadstairs. It’s a beautiful hidden gem offering stunning views of white cliffs and chalk stacks, making it one of the most photographed bays in the area. Botany Bay is a great beach for fossil hunting when the tide is out, exposing plenty of rock pools and crevices to explore.
Fun Fact: Botany Bay is a popular film and music video location, having been used for productions such as BBC’s drama True Love, Sky Atlantic comedy Hunderby and Shawn Mendes' song ‘There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back’.
Closest holiday parks: Birchington Vale (18 mins), Seaview (38 mins), and Alberta (40 mins)
Margate Main Sands
Margate, aka ‘the original seaside destination’ and home to Dreamland amusement park, is a popular UK holiday destination which homes a wide sandy bay, Margate Main Sands. There’s plenty of traditional seaside fun to be had by all the family, with a beach tidal pool and children’s rides and amusement arcades nearby.
Fun Fact: English painter, J.M.W Turner, knew the coast around Margate well and often painted it, stating that Margate has ‘the loveliest skies in all of Europe’.
Closest holiday parks: Birchington Vale (8 mins), Seaview (28 mins), and Alberta (30 mins)
Dymchurch Beach
This beautiful sand and shingle beach is a popular spot for swimmers, kite surfers, paddlers, and, of course, sandcastle builders. Stretching just over three miles, this glorious beach attracts thousands of visitors each year and is very close to all of the facilities of Dymchurch village including cafes, restaurants, and amusements.
Fun Fact: Comedy geniuses, Laurel and Hardy, opened the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in 1947 which is just a short drive away from Dymchurch beach.
Closest holiday parks: New Beach (over the road!), Marlie (7 mins), and Alberta (57 mins)
Joss Bay
Offering 200 metres of sandy beach and sheltered by steep chalk cliffs, Joss Bay is a great family beach to visit, with plenty of surrounding facilities to please all the family. Often referred to as a ‘surfer’s paradise’, the beach has its very own Surf School which has seen people riding the waves for over 40 years!
Fun Fact: Joss Bay is reputedly named after an eighteenth-century smuggler, Joss Snelling, who was notorious for importing an array of contraband to various beaches in Kent in the late 1800s.
Closest holiday parks: Birchington Vale (35 mins), Seaview (39 mins), and Alberta (45 mins)
Leysdown Beach
Situated towards the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey on the north Kent coast, Leysdown beach hosts a long stretch of sand, backed by a wide promenade. This Blue Flag beach has a lot of character, and is located near shops, cafes, and arcades, catering for all of your seaside needs.
Fun Fact: Leysdown is also known for its nudist beach, situated around half a mile down the coast along Shellness Road. Hey, it saves money on expensive swimming costumes!
Closest holiday parks: Harts (5 mins), Alberta (52 mins), and Seaview (57 mins)
Greatstone Beach, Romney Marsh
A holidaymaker’s favourite, Greatstone Beach’s two miles of sandy shoreline make it easy to see why it’s such a popular destination. The Greatstone Dunes that run along nearly the entire length of the beach and separate the seafront from land are also a Site of Specific Scientific Interest.
Fun Fact: It’s a great beach for collecting pretty shells and will keep the children occupied for hours!
Closest holiday parks: Marlie (8 mins) and New Beach (17 mins)
Viking Bay
This beautiful horseshoe shaped bay is arguably the main attraction in Broadstairs; a wander along the promenade and boardwalk will help you see why. The sweeping sandy bay offers plenty of opportunity for relaxing and catching some rays, or for those more active, why not try a spot of kite-surfing?
Fun Fact: Broadstairs was the holiday choice of Charles Dickens; he even wrote a piece on the town, ‘Our English Watering Place’.
Closest holiday parks: Birchington Vale (20 mins), Seaview (36 mins) and Alberta (39 mins).
Our favourite beaches in Kent
These are just 7 of our favourite beaches in Kent (in no particular order, of course). With so much unique coastline to choose from, we’re sure that you and the family will love visiting Kent and all of the treasures it has to offer.
Kent Holidays
Affectionately known as the “Garden of England” Kent features a coastline of famous holiday resorts. From Whitstable and the Isle of Sheppey in the north to Romney in the south, we've got Kent covered!
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