The Isle of Thanet, on the far tip of Kent, has drawn visitors for centuries — from Roman soldiers and Saxon saints to painters and novelists. Today its three distinctive seaside towns, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, offer a compelling mix of award-winning beaches, contemporary art, coastal wildlife and gourmet seafood, making Thanet one of the most varied short-break destinations in Britain.
Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate each has its own character yet all sit within easy reach of one another along Thanet's sweeping shoreline. Margate is perhaps the best known, its skies and seascapes famously inspiring JMW Turner and now celebrated at the Turner Contemporary gallery. Broadstairs retains a charming Victorian atmosphere and was a favourite retreat of Charles Dickens. Ramsgate boasts a Royal Harbour — the only one in England — and a lively marina lined with independent restaurants and bars. Together the three towns give visitors a full spectrum of seaside experiences within a compact peninsula.
Thanet is home to around 15 beaches, several of which have held Blue Flag status for water quality. Botany Bay, with its chalk stacks and rock pools, and Margate Main Sands, with its wide sandy arc, are perennial favourites for families. Beyond the beach, the clifftop paths offer dramatic walking with sea views in both directions, while watersports — sailing, windsurfing and kayaking — are well established along this exposed stretch of coast. The shoreline is also rich in birdlife and marine wildlife, making it a rewarding destination for naturalists.
Thanet's creative scene punches well above its weight. The Turner Contemporary attracts major exhibitions, and the Old Town quarter of Margate is packed with independent galleries, vintage shops and cafes. Heritage runs equally deep: the area saw the landing of Romans, Saxons and Norman pilgrims on their way to Canterbury, and its architecture reflects centuries of that layered history. On the food side, the proximity of working boats at Ramsgate Harbour means locally caught fish and seafood appear on menus across the peninsula the same day they are landed.
Thanet has around 15 beaches to choose from. Botany Bay near Broadstairs is celebrated for its white chalk stacks and clear water. Margate Main Sands is the classic bucket-and-spade beach, broad and sheltered. Stone Bay and Minnis Bay are quieter options that have previously held Blue Flag status for water quality. Each beach has a slightly different character, so it is worth exploring more than one during a stay.
Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary, a free-entry gallery that hosts world-class contemporary and historical exhibitions in a striking building overlooking the sea. The Old Town is full of independent shops, street food, and galleries. Dreamland, an iconic amusement park, has been reimagined with vintage rides, live music and food markets. The town also has a rich history connected to JMW Turner, whose famous light-filled seascapes were inspired by Margate's skies.
Yes — Thanet is well suited to families. The sandy beaches at Margate and Broadstairs are safe and accessible, with traditional amusements, ice cream and fish and chip shops close by. Dreamland in Margate provides a full day of rides and entertainment for children of all ages. Clifftop walks and rock-pooling add to the outdoor appeal, and the towns are compact enough to navigate easily with children in tow.
Thanet is roughly 70 to 80 miles from central London and is well connected by both road and rail. High-speed rail services from St Pancras International reach Margate in under 90 minutes, making Thanet a realistic option for a day trip as well as a longer break. The A2 and M2 motorway corridor provides a straightforward drive, typically taking around 90 minutes outside peak hours.
Accommodation ranges from classic British seaside bed and breakfasts to boutique hotels and self-catering cottages. The regeneration of Margate and Broadstairs in particular has brought a number of stylish, design-led guesthouses to the area, popular with couples and weekend visitors. Campsites and holiday parks are also available for families wanting a more flexible stay close to the coast.
The Thanet coastline supports a varied range of seabirds, including fulmars, kittiwakes and terns nesting on the chalk cliffs. Rock pools at Botany Bay and elsewhere are home to crabs, anemones and small fish. Grey seals are occasionally spotted offshore, and the waters around the North Foreland are frequented by harbour porpoises. The area is also on a key migratory flyway, making autumn and spring good times for birdwatching.
Note: this brochure is from our archive and was current at the time of its original publication. Details such as prices, availability and specific offers may no longer apply. We recommend checking directly with Visit Thanet or local tourism providers for up-to-date information before planning a visit.
This newsletter is no longer available
The Visit Thanet Newsletter newsletter has been archived — details above are kept for reference. Browse similar live offers available free today.
Browse Live Newsletters →
