All aboard! There’s nothing like the wind in your hair and a breath of sea air on the Kent coast. We’ve got to say one of the best ways to tour our blue flag beaches and the pretty coastal towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate, is the Stagecoach Open Top Bus. Running from spring and through summer, the iconic route 69 is an absolute must on any family visit to Kent, dating back to summer holidays in the 60s and 70s, so what are you waiting for? Take a look at some of our tips for making the most of your tour.
Credit: @Wanderlust.at.the.seaside
Starting off with those beaches and bays, be sure to hop off the bus at blue-flag awarded Stone Bay for plenty of family fun, ice cream smiles and sandcastle building. While Viking Bay in Broadstairs is another family favourite with a lifeguard service, tidal pool and children’s rides making it a great choice for seaside treats. You’ll find plenty more beaches and bays along the way including the beautiful Louisa Bay that’s made for rockpooling, but first we’ll dust off the sand and head to our next stop.
For family fun, we recommend stopping at Ramsgate Harbour for a visit to the Micro Museum for the chance to teach little learners about everything from dial up internet and the history of the digital age, to how to play on some of the classic games and consoles you might just remember from your own childhood. For some true seaside fun, you’ve got to include a game of adventure golf, so head to Victoria Parade in Broadstairs for a game at Lillyputt Mini Golf.
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Credit: @Kerri_Baker45
No visit to the Isle of Thanet would be complete without learning about Dickens and his love of Broadstairs for a coastal getaway, so be sure to visit the Dickens House Museum. It was this very building that inspired the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield and today much of the furniture in the parlour can still be recognised in David’s description of the cottage within the novel. Visit and you’ll have the chance to see Dickens’ original writing box and mahogany sideboard along with a selection of letters from the author all about Broadstairs.
From literature to history, we recommend a tour of Ramsgate Tunnels, an underground labyrinth created to form a shelter to protect Ramsgate’s residents from World War II bombings. The tunnels run for two and half miles, with guided tours taking in this incredible underground city which housed over 300 families.
When those cries of “I’m hungry” come, you’ll need a quick stop off for some lunch! We recommend Morelli’s Gelato in Broadstairs for keeping little ones smiling, while Ramgate’s many, many harbour-side restaurants and cafés offer a perfect blend of café culture and exceptional local food.
So there you have it, it’s time to hop on and hop off the Stagecoach Open Top Bus – we’ve done the planning for you, now all you need is a little sunshine.
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