Our stunning coastline is one of our best assets – whether you want calm bays or rugged cliffs, sand or stones, or bustling seaside towns or the place to yourself – we’ve got them all. In honor of the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI and the 350 miles of coastline they have to monitor in Kent alone, we’ve pulled together a swimmingly good list of places where you can standup paddleboard, watch birds or learn more about the charity’s history.
Ps. you can donate to the RNLI here to help support their life saving work.
Photo credit: RNLI Nigel Millard
RNLI 200 at the Dockyard
Being home to the RNLI’s Historic Lifeboat Collection, it’s only right that the Historic Dockyard Chatham hosts the RNLI 200 exhibition from the 23rd March to 1st September. From the original boats that were simply human and oar powered to today’s technological wonders, this exhibition aims to show the changing makeup of the charity and honour the crews throughout the years. It will also have on show a digital copy of the Lifeboat Service Memorial book, which gives the names of every member of the RNLI who gave their lives in service.
Walmer to Deal cycle ride
There’s nothing like sea air, especially breathing it in when exercising! For a gentle cycle along the east coast, begin your journey by taking the train to Walmer just outside Deal. Cycle an initial approximately ten minutes to the stunning Walmer Castle & Gardens. Throughout early spring, the gardens and café will be open so make sure to fuel up, spot some daffodils and then head onwards! Cycling along a beautifully flat seafront route, which Julius Caesar landed on in 55BC, your next stop is Deal Pier. Once you reach the end, you can admire the rows of colourful houses and fishermen catching their dinner. For your return, head on back the same way you came, or just head into Deal station if the legs of the kids are tired!
Book tickets via Southeastern to avoid any fees: www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Under the White Cliffs
Quite possibly the most iconic piece of Kentish coastline are our glorious White Cliffs. So how do you best celebrate them? Short of getting a cross channel ferry away from Kent, you can get onboard a Dover Sea Safari – which also happens to be kid friendly! With trips that skip along the huge cliff faces at Langdon Bay ending up at St Margaret’s and Kingsdown, and others that you can spot seals from, and even stop at the infamous Goodwin Sands, this is one way to take it all in. If you want to stop at some of these beaches before heading home, get to know where is best for swimming, shrimping and more on White Cliffs Country’s list of beaches.
While on the sea, you might have also spotted your nights’ accommodation, some of these spots are made for appreciating the coast…
- In St Margaret’s, stay at the Sea Purse, which sleeps eight, is child friendly and has rather impressive sea views.
- In Kingsdown, Victory Cottage sleeps eight, is pet and child friendly and is handily on the beach right next to the Zetland Arms!
Canoe Wild
If you’d rather head at your own leisurely pace around our coastline, take a sea kayak out via Canoe Wild. Paddling out with one of their qualified coaches, you can spot some seals along the way and take in the coastline around Pegwell Bay for an incredible two and a half hours. You’ll also be reassured to know that Canoe Wild are working toward being accredited under the WISE Scheme, meaning they take all the necessary steps on their tours to make sure there’s minimal impact on the wildlife at sea.
Dungeness’ unique viewpoints
If you venture down to the tip of Kent’s coast you will be transported to what feels like a sparse desert deep in the USA. Begin your journey in Hythe, a beautiful seaside town in its own right, and take the RHDR miniature railway toward Dungeness – a sure fire hit with the kids. As you are whisked at what feels like high speed through the countryside you’ll arrive into Dungeness where fish & chips, a wander up to the top of a lighthouse and a possible sea swim in quiet waters await.
The tip of Kent - Thanet
Boasting the majority of Kent’s sandy beaches, it’s only right to celebrate the coastline in Thanet. Circling the district and a little beyond, the Viking Coastal Trail is the ideal way to take it all in, with a swim in between if weather allows! Taking in 32 miles, you can break up the Trail into segments, which roll through Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate, all the way along to Reculver.
Find more about Thanet’s cycling here.
Whitstable
The pebbly beach in Whitstable has been a staple for visitors looking to experience the quaint British seaside, and for good reason. With a number of tantalising restaurants, cafes and snack spots at the likes of the Harbour Market, boutique shops along Harbour Street and plenty of seaside, this is the place to head to recharge and slow down. If you are looking to stay for a night or two (you’ve got to experience the famous sunsets after all), consider resting your head at The Duke of Cumberland, which has gone through a recent refurbishment.
