If you’ve wandered the shores of Kent’s Blue Flag beaches and skipped through its vibrant seaside towns, you may think you’ve checked off all of Kent’s best bays...but with 350 miles of coastline to explore, there’s SO much more to see!
Our round up of Kent's quirky coastal gems should help you plan that seaside day out with a difference, whether you want to chase down some culture, or fancy donning your binoculars and taking a peak at some of the fascinating wildlife that calls our coastline home.
Dungeness Beach
Welcome to England's ONLY desert, and you won’t find wider skies than these on the Southeast coast. So remember to bring your camera! Stroll along the board walk and enjoy the peace and quiet of the nature reserve, with more than 600 species to be found. Of course, if you want to get back to the hustle and bustle, the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway rests right on the beach, so you can enjoy watching the miniature steam trains roll in and board back to Hythe. Deserts, ales and miniature railways
St Margaret’s Bay
Believe it or not, it was in the peaceful village of St Margaret’s that Britain’s most renowned fictional spy came to be. Today you can follow in the footsteps of Bond author Ian Fleming, who rented a house on these quiet shores, and stroll across the bay, backed by spectacular cliffs and country views. Discover your own adventures (though maybe don’t be quite as adventurous as 007) with a further tour of James Bond filming locations. Peace, quiet and a license to thrill
Sandgate
Just a mile around the coast from vibrant Folkestone, peace and quiet awaits at Sandgate. Relax on the shingle beach (perfect for those who hate shaking sand out of their shoes) or take a dip in the deep blue for an afternoon of relaxation. For the ultimate escape, why not check into one of Bloom Stay's beach-side lodges for a beach break with a difference. Romance on the coast
Samphire Hoe
As a man-made park at the foot of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, Samphire Hoe certainly earns itself a place on our list. Created from the construction of the Channel Tunnel, this 30-hectare nature reserve is home to a long list of flora and fauna species, so make sure you pack your walking shoes and binoculars for a trek through this tranquil setting. Man-made wonders
Sandwich and Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve
Tucked just around the corner from the bustling town of Ramsgate, this hidden gem is a must-visit for twitchers! The reserve is internationally renowned for waders and wildfowl and, with peak season during the winter and autumn migration months, coastal jaunts needn't be limited to summer! Birds of a feather
Reculver
A Roman fort, a 12th century church and a whole host of wildlife can be found at this Green Flag country park, so is it any wonder it’s made the list? Spend an afternoon strolling the shoreline, right in the shadow of those iconic 12th century towers, and take a visit to the award-winning visitor centre for the ins and outs on the geology and ecology of this fascinating stretch of the coastline. In the tracks of the Romans
Thanet Coast Project
Explore the beautiful Thanet coast and all it has to offer through the multiple educational and artistic events going on in the coming months. Join in on a Seashore Safari, where you and the whole family can discover the rockpool wildlife and rocky shore of various bays along the coast. Or find out all you ever wanted to know about amazing algae in a walk and talk, Seaweed & their Secrets, led by expert Ian Tittley. Be sure to check out Thanet Coast Project's collaboration with Bird Wise East Kent, a photographic exhibition aiming to raise awareness for the wonderful coastscape of the area... Plenty going on in beautiful Thanet that you don't want to miss out on! For full details on these and more click here.
