10 of the best beaches in Kent

From sprawling sandy shorelines to quintessentially British shingle-covered seasides, Kent is peppered with charming pockets of coastline and beaches. 

A walk across chalky white cliffs is always recommended, but having a dip in the sea with their bulk behind you is also something pretty special - if you can brace yourself for the fresh North Sea waters. 

While these beaches are all easily reached by car, many of these beaches are also easily reached by train from London. 

Southeastern services to Kent's coast depart from Victoria, Stratford International, St Pancras, South Bromley and Gravesend, with connections to Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Deal, Dover and Folkestone. 

So whether you’re lucky enough to live nearby or heading out of the capital on the high-speed for a day trip or weekend away, here are some of the best beaches in Kent. 

Viking Bay

Shaped like a horseshoe, Broadstairs’ main beach is great for children to splash about in thanks to the calm waters. Found in the heart of the town near to the house (now a museum) where Charles Dickens wrote Bleak House, this sandy beach is full of British seaside charm. Stay for a dip, take a snap of the colourful beach huts and then the choice is yours - do you want a sundowner at The Jetty, an ice-cream from Morelli’s or a spin in the nearby arcades? 

St Margaret’s Bay Beach

Found at the bottom of a steep and windy road lined with big coastal homes and expensive cars, St Margaret’s Bay Beach is a quiet, shingle beach enclosed by picturesque chalk cliffs. There’s a hut selling the likes of toasties and ice cream, The Coastguard Pub for something more substantial, and The Pine Garden Tearooms and Museum which is great for a coffee and a sandwich, and a dose of local history too. Not far from Dover, you’ll cross this beach if walking along the White Cliffs of Dover to Deal. 

Margate Main Sands

A stone’s throw from the train station, you can practically walk out of the train station and roll straight into the sea here. This wide sandy beach stretches from the station through the Old Town to the Turner Contemporary, where you’ll find many people lounging on the beach’s steps with a frozen cocktail from Little Swift or a pint from Xylo in hand, or standing guard over their Peter’s fish and chips from vulturous seagulls. Station-side, you’ll find Sea Scrub Sauna open all year round.

Botany Bay

A few bays along, Botany Bay is a chalky rugged enclave accessible by walking along the Viking Coastal Trail from either Margate or Broadstairs. With chalky cliffs, a sandy shore and a grassy patch atop of the cliffs, the beach is a great place to settle into for the day. It also comes with a beach-side hut selling hamburgers and the like and the fairly generic but perfectly fine Botany Bay Hotel. It’s manned by lifeguards during peak times and has boogie boarders and the odd surfer trying to catch wavers to the side. 

Deal Beach

A seemingly endless stretch of shingle beach, Deal Beach is easily accessed by train and a stroll through the town. Waters are calm but can become deep quickly and comes with a pier, which you can fish off. Deal Pier Kitchen is a great spot for a post-swim meal, or if you feel like a short but reasonable walk, The Zetland Arms is prime real estate at the Kingsdown end of the strip. 

Joss Bay

Also on the Viking Coastal Trail between Margate and Broadstairs, Joss Bay is a surfing beach - although the waves are far meeker than elsewhere. There’s the surf school and a little shop selling snacks and ice cream. At the weekend during peak season, a farmer sometimes opens up their nearby field, swapping rows of cauliflower for cheap all-day parking.

Stone Bay

Just around the corner from Viking Bay towards Margate, Stone Bay is a delightful sandy stretch often frequented by dog walkers and families. You could chance upon a beach-side fitness session or you could just grab a beer or a light bite from NāMAKA beach bar during the high season and enjoy the ambience. 

Walpole Tidal Pool

Popular with Margate locals all year round, the Walpole Tidal Pool is great for a swim, a paddle or a splash about on a paddleboard. You’ll also often find strings of kids along its perimeter, looking at rock pools from their vantage point. The community sauna, manned by volunteers, has a permanent set up here, and it is lovely. Once you’re done, have a cream tea at the eclectic Walpole Bay Hotel, or grab something to eat at the Cliftonville Farmer’s Market, on every last Sunday of the month until 1pm. 

Kingsgate

A calm cove on the Viking Trail between Margate and Broadstairs, Kingsgate is also a popular choice among Thanet residents. The Captain Digby has a great beer garden overlooking the beach as well as a playground and a soft play area for kids. Fun fact: Miriam Margolyes spent many summers here as a kid.

Sandgate Beach 

One beach along from the carnival at Folkestone’s main beach, Sandgate Beach is a quiet pebbly beach lined with charming homes, huts and other quaint architecture. It’s good for swimming and water sports. Head one street back and you’ll find restaurants, pubs and bakeries to fuel your day.