Beaches in Broadstairs, Kent

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On the Isle of Thanet in Kent is the coastal town of Broadstairs, brimming with traditional seaside charm and popular with tourists looking for a relaxed and family friendly get away. Known as the "Jewel in Thanet's Crown" it is one of the area's best known seaside resorts. The name derives from a flight of stairs that were once in the steep chalk cliffs from the sandy beach up to the cliff top 11th century shrine of St Mary. read more...

The beach guide has 12 beaches listed in and around the town of Broadstairs. We have arranged these beaches in order of closest to the town first (distance in brackets).

  • Louisa Bay (0.1 miles)

    Louisa Bay © Nick Smith | BY-SA

    Reasonably quiet, sandy beach located close enough to the town, but just off the beaten track. Good facilities and plenty of rock pools.

  • Viking Bay (0.3 miles)

    Viking Bay © Colin Babb | BY-SA

    Viking Bay is the most popular beach in the archetypal British seaside town of Broadstairs. The crescent of sand is one of Broadstairs main draws although competition is pretty stiff from other nearby beaches such as the ever popular Joss Bay.

    The beach at Viking Bay has all the features you would expect from…

  • Dumpton Gap Beach (0.5 miles)

    Dumpton Gap © Pam Fray | BY-SA

    Despite the slightly less than appealing name Dumpton Gap is actually a nice little beach! The sandy bay here stretches for about 150 metres and is backed by a wide promenade which winds around the coast all the way to Louisa Bay.

    If you fancy a walk in the opposite direction the beach connects…

  • St Mary's Bay (0.4 miles)

    St Mary's Bay © Nigel Chadwick | BY-SA

    Located between the ever popular Viking Bay and Stone Bay is East Cliff or St Mary's Bay. The beach here is sandy with flat rocks around the low water mark. These are home to plenty of rock pools. Running along the back of the beach is a promenade linking Broadstairs' main beaches. It is also…

  • Stone Bay (0.8 miles)

    Stone Bay © Mark Percy | BY-SA

    This pleasant sandy beach is backed by a promenade lined with beach huts which leads into Broadstairs town. Behind the beach are high chalk cliffs which provide shelter from the breeze and a feeling of seclusion. The cliffs to cast a shadow over parts of the beach as the sun dips in the late afternoon.…

  • Kingsgate Bay (2 miles)

    Kingsgate Bay © Henry & Jane Rios | BY-SA

    Kingsgate Bay is a sheltered sandy cove backed by high white chalk cliffs. The beach is probably best known for its sea caves which are reputedly some of the best in the country.

    Although there is no lifeguard service at Kingsgate it is still a popular family beach. It is also usually much quieter than…

  • Joss Bay (1.7 miles)

    Joss Bay © Chris Whippet | BY-SA

    Joss Bay is a popular sandy beach sheltered by steep chalk cliffs and backing on to the North Foreland golf course. Stretching for around 200 metres this is a great family beach with all the facilities close at hand. There is a beach cafe, toilets, plenty of car parking and deck-chair hire if you really…

  • Ramsgate Main Sands Beach (1.6 miles)

    Ramsgate Main Sands © Jeffowenphotos

    Ramsgate Main Sands is a popular sandy beach surrounded by high chalk cliffs and adjacent to the picturesque Royal Harbour and marina, with plenty of options for ice cream and fish and chips. The beach is perfect for families, with rides for children and clean, safe bathing water.

  • Botany Bay (2.4 miles)

    Botany Bay © Graham Ó Síodhacháin | BY-SA

    Botany Bay is the northernmost of seven bays in the popular Kent resort of Broadstairs. This sandy beach is deservedly popular with clean sands and a Blue Flag award for water quality. It was named after Botany Bay in Australia as local smugglers were caught on the beach and deported to Botany Bay, hence the…

  • Pegwell Bay (2.5 miles)

    Pegwell Bay © E Gammie | BY-SA

    Pegwell Bay is more than one beach. At one end of the bay is a sandy stretch that nestles up against the harbour in Ramsgate. This end is most popular with families and there is plenty to explore. At the other the beach becomes a marshy nature reserve considered internationally important.

    Pegwell Bay Country Park…

  • Palm Bay (2.9 miles)

    Palm Bay © Nigel Chadwick | BY-SA

    Palm Bay is a pleasant sandy beach not too far away from Margate's town centre, between Walpole and Botany Bay. Despite its appeal, Palm Bay never seems to get as busy as the better known neighbouring beaches. This is probably the best dog friendly beach in the area so expect to have a few pooches…

  • Walpole Bay (3.1 miles)

    Walpole Bay © Nigel Cox | BY-SA

    Walpole Bay, in Margate, is a long, sandy beach with one of the last tidal pools ever to be built. Along with a number of rockpools to explore this makes for a family friendly beach. It is worth checking the tide times before visiting Walpole Bay as when the tide is in there is very…

Broadstairs beaches map

Map featuring Broadstairs beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

About Broadstairs

Broadstairs Kent

On the Isle of Thanet in Kent is the coastal town of Broadstairs, brimming with traditional seaside charm and popular with tourists looking for a relaxed and family friendly get away. Known as the "Jewel in Thanet's Crown" it is one of the area's best known seaside resorts. The name derives from a flight of stairs that were once in the steep chalk cliffs from the sandy beach up to the cliff top 11th century shrine of St Mary.

Set above a picturesque harbour and backed by cliffs either side, Broadstairs boasts seven golden sandy bays and beaches, many of which have a blue flag status and are linked by cliff top paths. The main beach is Viking Bay where there are children's rides, beach huts, surfing and cliff top promenade.Up on the cliffs around Kingsgate Bay is the imposing Kingsgate Castle, originally built in the 1760s as the home of Lord Holland but now used as private dwellings.

Broadstairs is well known as Charles Dickens' favourite holiday spot and within the town you'll find the Charles Dickens Museum that is home to various memorabilia and prints, as well as the imposing cliff top building of Bleak House where he holidayed in the 1850s and 60s and also wrote 'David Copperfield'. Every June Broadstairs also hosts the Dickens Festival.

The main town area has a wealth of restaurants, bars and cafes including two popular retro 1950s style ice cream parlours. Shopping in the town includes high street shops as well as plenty of independent and chic stores. In mid August the Broadstairs Folk Week takes place brining folk music to the pubs, gardens and beaches of the town. Other popular events in the town include the Broadstairs Water Gala full of sandcastle building for the family and the three day Broadstairs Food Festival in October every year showcasing local food and drink.