Despite its beaches (both sand and pebbles), sea-sculpted cliffs, epic sunsets, vast history, and splendid Victorian architecture, the Kent coast has sometimes felt rundown and overlooked. Now, there’s a growing artistic community here and an explosion of things to do. Highlights include castles and cliffs, a show-stealing art gallery, and a historic theme park. Here are the best things to do on the Kent coast.
A Day Out in Historic Dover
The wonderful White Cliffs of Dover are more than just an iconic Kent image – this rare chalk grassland environment and conservation area is home to grazing Exmoor ponies, major rewilding efforts, and significant wartime history. Fan Bay Deep Shelter was constructed in the cliffs in 1941 as accommodations for a gun battery. A tour, wearing a hard hat and head torch, takes you down 125 steps through these abandoned WWII-era tunnels. At the foot of the cliffs, step out to see sound mirrors dating from WWI. These giant dishes built into the chalk were an early warning system designed to pick up the sound of aircraft as it crossed the Channel.
Continue your journey through history at Dover Castle, which dates back 2000 years when it was an Iron Age hill fort. The 12th-century Great Tower is a medieval treasure filled with interactive exhibits and light-and-sound shows that transport visitors back to the times of Henry II. A tour through the claustrophobic secret wartime tunnels is a highlight, as these chalk-hewn passageways were first excavated during the Napoleonic Wars and then expanded to house a command post and hospital in WWII.
Join the Creative Community of Folkestone
The Kent coast’s other main town, Folkestone, has less historical interest but plenty of contemporary artistic appeal. Its pretty Old Town has been dubbed the Creative Quarter, a self-proclaimed “urban village” where 90 of the buildings lining its cobblestone streets have been turned into shops, cafes, and artist studios thanks to the concerted efforts of the local community. Visitors can watch painters at work or take an art class before enjoying dinner in a chic bistro or a performance in one of the bars.
Feel the Otherworldliness of Dungeness
The bleakly beautiful beach at Dungeness, brooded over by a nuclear power station, is where English film director Derek Jarman (1942–1994) created his famous garden on the shingle shore, beside the black clapboard Prospect Cottage. He used driftwood sculptures and hardy wild plants to create this poetic, magical place, which is open to the public for exploration. It’s not just Jarman’s garden that makes the ‘ness a compelling place; the huge skies and wind-blasted beach backed by a nature reserve add to its allure. For a timetabled visit and a bit of family-friendly fun, consider taking a return trip on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch steam railway.
See Vintage Yet Contemporary Margate
The faded but glorious seaside town of Margate, with its 18th-century buildings and wide, silk-sanded beach, has experienced significant transformations in recent years. The Dreamland theme park, which closed in 2003, was rescued from developers and has received substantial investment to restore it to its joyful funfair status. The outcome is an Instagrammer’s dream, filled with jelly-bright, upcycled classic attractions, including a Grade-II-listed Scenic Railway. The park also features beautifully decorated twirling teacups, a roller disco, classic pinball and slot machines, along with a fantastically imaginative soft play area. Event spaces host popular live music performances throughout the year.
Perhaps the Kent coast’s most curious attraction is Margate’s Shell Grotto, a series of subterranean rooms discovered in 1835. Covered with over four million shells in decorative patterns, the grotto has been turned a pale silvery grey by the lamps that the Victorians used to illuminate it. No one knows exactly how long it has been here; some believe it could be over 2000 years old, while others think it might be a 19th-century underground folly.
Margate’s Turner Contemporary, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2021, is located where the painter J.W. Turner often visited his landlady, Mrs. Booth, and painted the renowned Margate sunsets. The gallery takes full advantage of the views, with giant oblong windows framing the sky and sea like a painting. Besides displaying Turner’s work, the gallery also celebrates local artists through temporary exhibits.
Run Between the Chalk Stacks of Botany Bay
Just outside Broadstairs in Kingsgate lies a secret at the end of the road – Botany Bay. Characterized by a pristine pale-sanded beach, chunky chalk cliffs, lush greenery, and seagulls, this idyllic spot is reminiscent of 1950s holidays. Engrossing rock pools stretch into the sea, and strong gusts of wind lift the kitesurfers above the waves. While it can get busy, visiting mid-week may offer a more peaceful experience.
Enjoy Fresh Seafood and Oysters in Whitstable
The nearest of the Kent resorts to London, Whitstable is a picturesque blend of clapboard houses and pastel beach huts, brimming with charm. It makes for a splendid day out, featuring lovely seaside views and a craft market lining the harbor. Visitors can indulge in a Michelin-starred meal at The Sportsman in nearby Seasalter, savor traditional fish and chips from the Neppy, or enjoy locally-sourced oysters from many eateries. Wheeler’s Oyster Bar has been a staple for seafood lovers since 1856.
Have a Dose of Nostalgia in Broadstairs
This quaint town has become a shrine to Charles Dickens, with nearly every establishment echoing his literary legacy. The author frequently vacationed in Broadstairs and wrote segments of Bleak House and David Copperfield here. Even for those who may not appreciate Dickens, Broadstairs is rewarding with its scenic bay and excellent dining options, including Wyatt & Jones and the outstanding ice cream at Morelli’s Gelato.
Wander the Pretty Harbor of Ramsgate
Ramsgate features a phenomenally picturesque harbor, with an impressive marina filled with bobbing yachts and stunning Georgian architecture featuring wrought-iron balconies. There is a wide, sandy town beach, while the renowned Harbour Brasserie offers splendid sea views. Additionally, visitors can explore the haunting Ramsgate Tunnels, which sheltered 60,000 people during WWII. The new Albion House boutique hotel boasts an exceptional restaurant, and Ramsgate Music Hall is well-regarded as one of the UK’s best small live music venues.
Go Back in Time in Deal
Julius Caesar first set foot in Britain at Deal in 55 BCE, drawn to its tranquil little beach. Today, the incredible Tudor Deal Castle, with its unique rose-shaped architecture, stands proudly over the beach. The town itself is charmingly picturesque, featuring small fishers’ cottages and elegant bow-fronted townhouses. It serves as an idyllic destination for the quintessential cream tea, browsing local antiques shops, and imagining a time when the 21st century had yet to arrive. Walmer Castle, another Tudor fortress with impressive gardens, is just a few miles down the coast.
How to Get to the Kent Coast
By car from London, take the A2, followed by the M2; the A299 leads to Whitstable, Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate. For those visiting Deal, it’s located further south off the A256. To reach Folkestone, take the M20.
By train, high-speed rail connections from London St Pancras to Dover and Folkestone take just under an hour, and Ramsgate in just over an hour. Alternatively, slower and more economical trains take around 1½ hours. Trains from London to Margate, Broadstairs, and Deal take between 1½ and 2 hours.
