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Kent is one of the easiest parts of the UK for a coastal break, especially if you are travelling from London or the South East. The coastline is varied, with sandy bays, harbour towns, chalk cliffs, family beaches, old-fashioned seafronts and ideal routes for coastal walking.
It is also a good choice if you want a beach holiday without a long journey. Broadstairs, Margate, Whitstable, Deal, Folkestone, Ramsgate and Dungeness all offer different versions of the Kent coast, so the best place to stay depends on the kind of break you want.
Some visitors come for sandy beaches and family facilities. Others prefer seafood, harbour walks, independent shops or quieter sections of coast path. Kent works well because you can combine several of these in one trip, especially if you choose a base with good transport links or easy access to nearby towns.
Broadstairs and the Thanet coast
Broadstairs is one of Kent’s best-known seaside towns. It is a sensible choice if you want sandy beaches, a traditional seafront and plenty within walking distance. Viking Bay is the main beach, with a broad curve of sand, beach huts, cafés, toilets and easy access to the town.
The wider Thanet coast in South East England gives you several beaches within a short distance. Stone Bay is quieter than Viking Bay and can be useful if you want a calmer beach day. Joss Bay is popular with surfers and families, while Botany Bay is known for its chalk stacks and cliffs. Kingsgate Bay and Dumpton Gap are also worth considering if you want to explore beyond the main town beach.
Broadstairs is practical because you can walk to restaurants, pubs, shops and several beaches. It also has a railway station, which makes it useful if you are planning a coastal break without relying too much on the car. Broadstairs works well for beach holidays without the car, as the station, town centre and main beaches are all within walking distance.
Margate
Margate is one of Kent’s livelier coastal towns. The main beach is close to the Old Town, Turner Contemporary, cafés, bars and restaurants, which makes it a good choice if you want the coast with plenty to do nearby.
Margate Main Sands is the most convenient beach, especially for a short break. It is sandy, central and close to the harbour arm. This makes it useful for couples, groups and families who want a town-based stay rather than a quiet village break. For quieter beaches nearby, Westbrook Bay and St Mildred’s Bay are useful alternatives.
The town has a creative feel, with galleries, independent shops, vintage stores and places to eat. Dreamland also adds to the appeal for families and visitors who want more than beach time. Margate can get busy in good weather, so it is worth checking parking options or choosing accommodation within walking distance of the seafront.
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a good option if you like harbour towns. The Royal Harbour gives the town a different feel from Broadstairs and Margate, with a marina, waterfront restaurants and a long seafront. The main beach is sandy and close to the town, making it practical for family beach days and short breaks.
Ramsgate Main Sands is backed by a promenade and has facilities nearby. The beach is easy to combine with a walk around the harbour, lunch by the marina or a visit to the town centre. Western Undercliff and Pegwell Bay offer a different type of coastal scenery, with more open views and nature nearby.
Ramsgate also works well as a base for exploring the Thanet coast. Broadstairs, Margate and several smaller bays are close by, so you can stay in one town and visit different beaches during the trip.
Whitstable
Whitstable is one of Kent’s most popular coastal towns, especially for food, independent shops and relaxed weekends by the sea. The beaches are mostly shingle rather than sand, so it suits a different kind of coastal break from Broadstairs or Ramsgate.
The harbour, beach huts, Tankerton Slopes and independent high street make Whitstable a good choice for couples and short stays. Tankerton Beach is fun if you want more space than the central seafront, and at low tide the shingle spit known as The Street gives you a different way to walk out along the coast. Always check tide times before heading out, as the water returns quickly.
Whitstable also works well for a slower coastal break, with simple seafront walks, fresh air and time away from the usual routine. That fits naturally with the idea of why we need the sea, especially if the aim is to rest rather than fill every day with activities.
Herne Bay
Herne Bay sits between Whitstable and Margate and offers a more traditional seaside setting. It has a long promenade, shingle beach, pier, gardens and plenty of seafront space. It can work well for families, older visitors and anyone who wants a straightforward coastal base with practical facilities.
The beach is easy to use, even if it is not as dramatic as Botany Bay or as sandy as Broadstairs. The promenade makes walking simple, and the town has cafés, fish and chips, parking and public transport links.
Reculver Country Park is nearby and is worth considering if you want coastal walks and views of the twin towers at Reculver. Herne Bay can be a sensible choice if you want a quieter alternative to Margate or Whitstable while still being close enough to visit both.
Deal and Walmer
Deal is one of Kent’s most attractive seaside towns, with a long shingle beach, pier, independent shops, restaurants and historic streets. It is a good option for couples, dog owners and visitors who want a quieter coastal break with character.
The seafront is easy to walk, and the town centre is close to the beach. Deal Castle and Walmer Castle add historical interest, while the flat promenade makes the area practical for gentle walks. The beach is shingle, so it may not suit families looking for sandcastle days, but it works well for walking, sea views and quality time by the water.
Walmer sits just along the coast and has a similar feel, with a long beach and easy access to the seafront. Together, Deal and Walmer make a good base if you want a relaxed Kent stay with places to eat, walk and explore nearby. If you are flexible on location and it’s just you and your partner, check out our curated list of sea view cottages for couples, all of which are located near the beach.
Folkestone
Folkestone is a smart choice if you want a Kent coastal town with creative spaces, harbour areas and easy access to cliff walks. The town has changed significantly in recent years, particularly around the Harbour Arm and Creative Quarter. This has made it more appealing for short breaks, food, art and weekend trips.
Sunny Sands is the main sandy beach near the harbour, and it is especially popular with families in good weather. The Harbour Arm has places to eat and drink, while the Lower Leas Coastal Park gives you a green space close to the seafront. The Leas promenade is also useful for sea views and easier walking.
Folkestone is well placed for exploring the White Cliffs area, Dover, Sandgate and Hythe. This makes it a good base if you want a mix of beach time, walking, food and day trips. If coastal walking is a key part of your holiday, the England Coast Path is worth looking at before you choose where to stay, as it can help you plan routes and link nearby towns.
Dungeness and Romney Marsh
Dungeness is very different from Kent’s more traditional seaside towns. It has a shingle landscape, wide open views, fishing huts, nature reserves and a quieter, more unusual feel. It is not the right place if you want a classic bucket-and-spade beach holiday, but it is ideal for photography, wildlife, walking and a more peaceful coastal day out.
The beach is vast and exposed, with working fishing boats and scattered houses. Nearby, the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway gives families another reason to visit the area, while the Dungeness nature reserve is good for birdwatching.
Dungeness works best as part of a wider Kent coast trip rather than the only stop, unless you specifically want somewhere remote and low-key. It pairs well with Camber Sands just over the East Sussex border, and Rye, Hythe and Folkestone.
Hythe, Sandgate and the south Kent coast
Hythe and Sandgate offer a quieter coastal experience than Margate, Broadstairs or Folkestone. The beaches are mainly shingle, but the seafronts are pleasant for walking and the towns have handy facilities nearby.
Hythe has a long promenade, independent shops, the Royal Military Canal and easy access to the Romney Marsh area. It is a practical choice if you want a quieter base with walking routes and day trips nearby. Sandgate has a smaller village feel, with cafés, pubs and beach access close together.
This stretch of the Kent coast suits visitors who want a slower break rather than a busy resort. It also works well if you prefer a holiday based around walks, meals out and local exploring rather than spending every day on the sand.
Dog-friendly coastal breaks in Kent
Kent can work well for a dog-friendly coastal break, but beach rules vary by season. Some beaches have restrictions during the main summer months, while others allow dogs in certain zones or outside peak periods. Always check local signs and council guidance before travelling.
Deal, Walmer, Dungeness, parts of Thanet and stretches around the south Kent coast are ideal for a dog friendly break, especially outside the busiest summer weeks. For a smoother trip, choose dog friendly cottages in Kent close to alternative walking routes, not just one beach. Promenades, coast paths, parks and marshland walks can be useful if the nearest beach has restrictions.
If you are travelling with a pet, check out our guide on how to plan a beach holiday with a dog to help with the details before booking, including beach rules, property features, packing and nearby places to walk.
Family beach holidays in Kent
Kent has several good options for families because many beaches have town facilities close by. Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Margate, Herne Bay and Folkestone are all practical choices if you want toilets, cafés, shops and places to eat within easy reach.
Broadstairs is probably the strongest all-round option for a traditional family beach break, especially around Viking Bay. Ramsgate is useful because of its sandy beach, harbour and promenade. Folkestone works well if you want a sandy beach plus other things to do nearby, while Herne Bay is good for a classic seafront and pier.
For families, the practical details matter. Check beach type, parking, toilets, tide times and how far the accommodation is from the seafront. A beautiful beach is less useful if the walk back to the property is awkward with children, bags and beach gear.
Planning your Kent coast break
The best place to stay on the Kent coast depends on what you want from the trip. Broadstairs and Ramsgate are good options for sandy beaches and a traditional seaside base. Margate suits visitors who want food, galleries and a busier town setting, while Whitstable works well for seafood, harbour walks and a relaxed weekend.
Deal and Walmer are better for a quieter break with independent shops and a long seafront. Folkestone offers beach time, food, creative spaces and access to cliff walks, while Dungeness is worth considering if you want open space, wildlife and something less conventional.
Before booking one of these coastal cottages in Kent, check the type of beach, parking, dog rules, public transport, access to shops and whether you can walk to the seafront from your accommodation. Kent is compact enough to explore several coastal towns in one trip, so a well-chosen base can give you more than one version of the coast during your stay.