Discover Kent's Best Beaches

Kent, known as "The Garden of England," is also renowned for its stunning coastline, featuring over 50 beautiful beaches. From the River Thames to Dungeness, visitors can enjoy a variety of sandy shores and shingle bays, perfect for families, swimmers, and surfers alike. Remember to check the tide times to make the most of your beach day.

Whether you're looking for a lively beachfront with amenities or a secluded spot for a peaceful retreat, Kent's beaches offer something for every preference.

1. Botany Bay Beach, Broadstairs

Botany Bay Beach is a Blue Flag beach in northeast Kent, known for its chalk cliffs and sandy shores. It's a haven for safe swimming, kayaking, and surfing. Recognizable from various media, it's a picturesque location with facilities like a café and deck chair rentals, though parking is limited.

2. Tankerton Beach, Whitstable

Tankerton Beach is a shingle beach near Canterbury, featuring colorful beach huts and "The Street," a causeway revealed at low tide. It's ideal for swimming, sailing, and exploring marine life in rock pools, with amenities like a café and skatepark nearby.

3. Joss Bay Beach, Broadstairs

Joss Bay offers a sandy beach flanked by white cliffs, named after an infamous local smuggler. It's a family-friendly spot with facilities including a surf school, café, and play area, and is known for some of the best surfing in England.

4. Margate Main Sands, Margate

Margate Main Sands is a revitalized beach with traditional attractions like arcades and the Dreamland theme park. It's a hub for water sports and offers a harbor to explore, with a significant portion of the beach remaining above water at high tide.

5. Dungeness Beach, Romney Marsh

Dungeness Beach is a nature reserve with a unique, desert-like landscape. It's ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and sea fishing, with nearby attractions adding to its appeal.

6. Dymchurch Beach, Romney Marsh

Dymchurch Beach boasts one of the longest sandy stretches in Southeast England, perfect for family outings. The recently improved promenade and the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway enhance the beach experience.

7. Deal Castle Beach, Deal

Deal Castle Beach offers a pebble shore with historical intrigue, including a 16th-century fortress. The beach is complemented by a promenade, fishing boats, and the Deal Timeball.

8. Stone Bay Beach, Broadstairs

Stone Bay is a quieter Blue Flag beach with family-friendly amenities and chalet rentals. It's known for its rock pools and easy access, making it a great choice for a day by the sea.

9. Folkestone Beach, Folkestone

Folkestone Beach is a pebble beach close to downtown attractions, including the Creative Quarter and Folkestone Harbor Arm. It's a vibrant spot for beachgoers and food enthusiasts alike.

10. Kingsgate Bay Beach, Broadstairs

Kingsgate Bay Beach is a secluded sandy cove surrounded by chalk cliffs and sea caves. With limited parking and no lifeguards, it offers a tranquil beach experience near Kingsgate Castle.

11. Ramsgate Main Sands, Ramsgate

Ramsgate Main Sands is a sandy beach sheltered by cliffs, offering a variety of water sports and family activities. The nearby Royal Harbour adds to the charm of this popular beach.

12. St. Margaret's Bay Beach, Dover

St. Margaret's Bay Beach is known for its dramatic cliffs and views across the English Channel. The shingle beach is a hotspot for fishing and exploring rock pools.

13. Minnis Bay Beach, Birchington-on-Sea

Minnis Bay Beach is a Blue Flag sandy beach ideal for families, with a paddling pool, playground, and water sports available. Lifeguard services ensure a safe environment for all.

14. Broadstairs Main Beach — Viking Bay

Viking Bay is Broadstairs' main beach, bustling with activities like surfing and swimming. The promenade offers access to arcades, shops, and seafood kiosks, making it a lively destination.