The Most Beautiful Seaside Towns in Kent

Kent is one of my favourite counties near London. Living in nearby Sussex, I often travel here to enjoy the Kent coastal towns as well as the beautiful sandy beaches. Kent is also known as the Garden of England because of its diverse landscape and nature which make for wonderful escapes in the countryside.

The seaside towns in Kent make for wonderful beach escapes from London, especially on the hot summer days when the temperatures in the city become unbearable. Kent offers both sandy beaches as well as rugged coastline with cliffs you can walk on.

There are a lot of coastal towns in Kent so don’t be surprised if you have a hard time deciding which one to choose for your seaside holiday. To make it easier for you, I’ve put up this guide of all the best places to enjoy on and around the beaches in Kent. From the bustling harbour of Whitstable to the sandy beaches of Broadstairs and Margate, you will find plenty of traditional seaside charm, Victorian architecture as well as modern amenities.

Whitstable

I will start this list of Kent coastal towns with Whitstable, one of the most famous places in the county. Whitstable was one of the first places I visited in Kent, on one of my solo road trips in the UK. I loved its charming atmosphere and the lovely long beach which is covered with pebbles.

Whitstable has a rich history dating back to the medieval times, and it is well known all over the country for its oyster industry, which has been a staple of the local economy for centuries. You can actually see the last remaining fishing yawls that used to harvest oysters around the bay. There are a few places in town where you can enjoy authentic Whitstable oysters, but only during the season which is from September to April.

Whitstable is a wonderful seaside town in Kent also because of its bohemian atmosphere. There are many galleries and local art studios offering a collection of eclectic art from both local and international artists. Whitstable is an inspiring town, especially out of season when there are fewer tourists.

To find out more, check out my sustainable guide to Whitstable.

Margate

Margate is another beautiful seaside town in Kent. It is known for the pretty sandy beaches, the seafront promenade, as well as the iconic amusement park Dreamland. Margate is a popular destination for beachgoers, especially in summer.

There are plenty of things to do in Margate besides the beach. The Grade II listed Pier offers beautiful views over the city from the water. If you want to learn more about the history of the town, check out the Tudor House Museum, which is hosted into one of the oldest houses in Margate and dates back to 1525.

Adjacent, is the modern Turner Contemporary art gallery which has been recently opened, it showcases the works of the British painter William Turner as well as a collection from other contemporary artists.

Broadstairs

Broadstairs is a quiet, charming seaside town in Kent, known for having one of the most beautiful beaches in England, Botany Bay. The coast of Broadstairs includes sandy bays at the bottom of white chalk cliffs that tower over the town.

If you follow the Viking trail, over the cliffs, you can reach more remote areas of the beach, which you can have it all to yourself even during the summer months. Most tourists choose to stay closer to the famous cliffs in Botany Bay.

There are plenty of events taking place in Broadstairs throughout the year, including the Dickens Festival which celebrates the famous author and his connection to the town. If Dickens is one of your favourite authors, then you must visit Broadstairs. You can visit the museum that is dedicated to him, as well as stay at Fagin’s Den, a unique B&B recreating the setting of Oliver Twist.

To find out more about this area, check out my article dedicated to Botany Bay.

Deal

Deal is a small coastal town in Kent with a charming atmosphere and a pretty pebbles beach. The former fishing village is now a quiet place to visit with great coffee shops, art galleries, and even a record store.

One of the main attractions in this seaside town is Deal Castle, which lies in the southern part of the coast. The castle was built by Henry the VIII as part of a defence structure, in order to protect the land from attacks from the sea. On the roof of the castle you will find scribbles, which is nothing more than medieval graffiti.

Deal is a great place to sample delicious seafood at one of the beachfront restaurants.

Folkestone

Folkestone is known as the gateway to France, as this is where the Eurotunnel is located. However, don’t underestimate this pretty coastal town in Kent, which is definitely worth a visit.

Folkestone is located at the edge of Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kent.

There are plenty of things to do in Folkestone, besides enjoying the long sandy beaches. The Creative Quarter is a fantastic area in the heart of the town, where you can see quirky street art, find boutique shops and plenty of independent cafes. In the evening, you will find many venues offering live music sessions.

Another great place to explore in Folkestone is the old Harbour Arm, once home to the ferry connection between England and France. Today, it is a beautiful seafront promenade with street food stalls, restaurants and bars.  

Dungeness

If you are looking for a quiet coastal town in Kent that is surrounded by nature, Dungeness is your answer. The tiny fishing town of Dungeness is surrounded by a wild landscape of the Romney Marsh wetland, and one of Europe’s largest shingle beaches, over five square miles long.

This remote coastal area is a fantastic place for bird spotting, with over 250 different species either living here or migrating at different times of the year. The entire area is a designated nature reserve, as well as a site of specific scientific interest due to the unique fauna and flora living here.

There are a few accommodation options here, in charming wooden cabins, as well as restaurants serving local fresh fish dishes.

Dover

Dover is one of the most famous coastal towns in Kent. For many, Dover is just a ferry port which connects England with France. But there are so many great things to do in Dover, especially if you love hiking.

The White Cliffs of Dover are the town’s most impressive natural asset. This iconic landmark has witnessed many historic moments, and was always a symbol of hope, and coming back to the homeland. The cliffs are formed in a unique type of limestone, pure and soft. There are many paths along the cliffs from where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama, as well as spot cliff-nesting birds such as the kittiwake, the northern fulmar, or the peregrine falcon.

The town of Dover is a great place to come for a seaside holiday as well. Dover Castle is a grade I listed medieval castle, one of the largest in England. It is very well preserved and has 80 acres of grounds and tunnels which visitors can explore, to learn more about the history of the area. At the Dover museum you can see the oldest surviving sea vessel in the world, dating back from the Bronze Age.

The waterfront of Dover is home to many great restaurants, where you can try the local specialities of the area including the Dover Sole.

Ramsgate

Ramsgate is a charming seaside town in Kent. Alongside Margate and Broadstairs, it is a reminiscence of the past through the Georgian architecture and the Victorian pier.  The town has a large marina with an active fishing harbour. Along the marina there are many places where you can eat, book a fishing trip, or buy a painting created by a local artist.

Even if the marina takes most of the town’s seafront, there are two small beaches where you can sunbathe in summer, or entertain the children at the arcade.

The East Pier is another great attraction in town, offering great views over the town and sea, as well as a brasserie where you can enjoy a scenic lunch or dinner.

Another place that you should definitely check out in Ramsgate is the Royal Parade, from where you will have the best views over the harbour.

Herne Bay

Herne Bay is a lovely coastal town in Kent, known for its quirky shops, pastel coloured beach huts, as well as the most delicious fish dishes at local restaurants. The town is small, but has a lot of character.  

The pier in Herne Bay is home to a fun fair and an arcade with plenty of attractions for both the little ones and their parents. Whilst today the pier is quite short, in the past it used to go over 1000 metres into the sea. It was however destroyed during WWII to prevent enemies from landing here.  

Herne Bay is also a popular destination for watersports such as paddleboarding, sailing or windsurfing.

Sheerness

Sheerness is the main town on the Isle of Sheppey, once a major centre for shipbuilding and trade. Whilst the beach here is small and covered with shingles, the town of Sheerness has a certain typical seaside charm through the water-facing promenade and the church overlooking the sea.

I really enjoyed exploring Sheerness and I found there were plenty of things to do. The heritage trail of the town takes you to the well-preserved 18^th century fortifications, which used to protect the mouth of River Thames from the sea invaders.

Sheerness is also a hub for water sports such as sailing or windsurfing. The town itself is small and charming. One attraction in particular caught my attention, Rose Street Cottage of Curiosities, which hosts a large collection of memorabilia found on the Isle of Sheppey.  Don’t miss the vintage clock tower in the centre of the town.

If you want to stay in a unique place on the Isle of Sheppey, check out the private Elmley Nature Reserve. This unique place full of wildlife is a family owned property offering rustic but luxurious rooms and shepherd huts where you can connect with nature, in total quiet and peacefulness.

Minster on Sea

Minster on Sea is another small coastal town on the Isle of Sheppey, overlooking the English Channel. It has a nice beach covered in pebbles, flanked by a lovely promenade dotted with pubs and fish restaurants.

The main attraction in this sleepy seaside town in Kent is the Minster Abbey, which was once one of the largest and most important monasteries in England. The building is very well preserved, on top of a hill, overlooking the historic stone buildings on the streets below, leading up to it.

From Minster on Sea you can drive further down the Isle of Sheppey to the wild Swale National Nature Reserve where you can observe birds in their natural habitat, spot small reptiles, and enjoy some quiet time to yourself. During my trip here I met less than five other people whilst walking in the nature reserve.

Are you looking for more UK inspiration? Check out the articles below:

• The best day trips from London by train
• How to spend a day in Canterbury
• Day trip to Windsor from London
• The prettiest coastal towns in Devon
• The best beaches near London

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