Thanet – Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate

In striking contrast to the county’s fame as the Garden of England, the Isle of Thanet which comprises the three resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate and surrounding villages, has twenty-six miles of beautiful coastline and the longest stretch of coastal chalk in the UK, which is nationally and internationally important for its marine and bird life.

There is quick and easy access from London by road and rail, as well as from the continent, which is closer than the county town of Maidstone.  This close proximity is why the area has witnessed three great landings thought to have changed the course of the country’s history – the invasion of the Romans in 43AD, the father of the English race Hengist and his Saxons in 449AD and St. Augustine in 597AD.

You can explore the miles of sandy beaches where the Centurion’s children played marbles and where Thanetians hacked out caves in the cliff to hide contraband from the excisemen, fighting them to the death, and where you can find wild asparagus on the land and wild oysters in the sea.

Ride the wind and waves on a kite surfboard, follow the Viking Coastal Trail on a bicycle or by foot, and explore the skies in a plane.  Finish off with an alfresco drink at one of the bars overlooking the Royal Harbour and watch the boats bobbing gently up and down and the sun glistening on the water.

For more information please visit www.visitthanet.co.uk

Margate

Margate is a timeless seaside resort where traditional seaside fun and entertainment sits happily alongside modern water sports and exciting new developments.

You can still relive the pleasures of childhood holidays spent digging sandcastles, splashing in the waves and riding up and down the beach on amiable donkeys, but now you can also try your hand at more high-energy pursuits such as kite-boarding, surfing or jet skiing.

There is nothing like the fresh sea air and active fun for stimulating a healthy appetite and in addition to freshly cooked fish and chips, candyfloss and cockles and whelks there are pavement cafes, trendy coffee bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy a leisurely meal ‘alfresco’ whilst toying with what to do next.

A visit to Margate Old Town is a must, here, housed in a 17th Century building, is the intriguing local history museum, a great contrast to the new galleries and individual little shops that are shaping the resort’s growing cultural quarter. 

In the evening there is nothing better than watching stunning colours reflected in the water as the sun sets over the sea, as generations before have, and as the artist J M W Turner did.  The new Contemporary Art gallery being built here is named after him.

For more information please visit www.visitthanet.co.uk/margate

Broadstairs

A stroll around Broadstairs is a journey of discover with a lovely surprise around nearly every corner.

You’ll wander along the main thoroughfares and be enticed into quirky little lanes where tiny flint houses and fishermen’s cottages nestle together comfortably, as they have done for years, and where unusual small shops draw you in to browse their wares – quirky jewellery, unusual clothes and edible delicacies from around the world.

A promenade amble reveals charming gardens, great for relaxing in with a delicious homemade ice cream, whilst a clifftop stroll uncovers seven beautiful beaches and bays, each a little different.  The resorts main beach, Viking Bay, has a small harbour, children’s amusements and garden on the sands!  Joss Bay is more rural and offers great surfing opportunities, whilst Botany Bay is quieter and more secluded and can feel a million miles from anywhere – absolute bliss when you want to laze around and recharge your batteries.

The quiet charm of Broadstairs belies the entertainment opportunities there are.  The resort has a full calendar of events from the annual Dickens Festival and Folk week to a great free summer entertainment programme and there are a mouth-watering number of restaurants, bistros, cafes and pubs to choose from – you could eat your way around the world.

For more information please visit www.visitthanet.co.uk/broadstairs

Ramsgate

Ramsgate is home to the only ‘Royal’ Harbour in the country and has a sparkling marina, award-winning sandy beach, cater-for-all town centre and clifftops that beg to be rambled.

There are lots of little cafes and pubs scattered along the waterfront, all with tables and chairs outside, where you can happily pass the time people watching or dreaming about which yacht sitting the marina you would like – if only!

If you are feeling adventurous you can take a pleasureboat cruise around the harbour or venture further afield and explore the sandbanks and seal colonies that sit just off the coastline.  You can even take a ferry crossing to Ostende in Belgium with Transeuropa Ferries.
 
A short stroll into the town centre reveals a great mix of large chains stores and individual shops and if you visit on a Friday or Saturday you will be greeted by the cries of the market stallholders as they vie with each other to sell their wares.  A great opportunity for those who like to seek out a bargain.

And as the sun goes down, stroll back to the waterfront for a nightcap and wonder and the many lights reflected in the water, a beautiful holiday memory

For more information please visit http://www.visitthanet.co.uk/ramsgate.asp

Thanet villages

These are dotted along the coast and inland and are full of surprise and discovery. 

The largest is Birchington, which was home to the first bungalows outside India and the artist and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who was buried at All Saints Church in the village in 1882.

Just along the coast is Westgate-on-Sea, the subject of a famous poem by Sir John Betjemen.

At Sarre you can buy freshly ground flour and porridge oats from the mill, or pop in to the Crown Inn next door and sample a deliciously warming glass of Cherry Brandy, made from a secret recipe brought over by the Huguenots fleeing from the religious persecutions of Louis XIV.

Inland is Minster, home to one of England’s oldest inhabited buildings, Minster Abbey and at nearby Monkton you can visit an observatory with the largest optical telescope south of London.

Acol is one of the island’s smallest villages and has a fine gothic-style church dedicated to St. Mildred.  It is reputed that the village is haunted by Smuggler Bill.

St. Nicholas-at-Wade got its name because people had to wade across the Wansum channel to get to the mainland.

St. Peter’s is the original settlement for which Broadstairs was a fishing outlet to the sea.  Joining the excellent costumed village tour is a great way to discover this village.

For more information please visit www.visitthanet.co.uk/explore-villages