Our Kent Holiday Cottages by the Sea
Kent’s coastline extends from the Thames Estuary and north Kent coast to the beaches around Thanet, before continuing south past Deal, Dover and Folkestone towards Dungeness. This gives visitors a choice between busy seaside towns, working harbours, chalk cliffs and quieter sections of coast.
Walking is one of the best ways to see more of the area. Coastal routes connect towns and beaches around Thanet, while further south you can walk along the famous chalk cliffs around Dover. Dungeness provides something completely different, with its shingle landscape, lighthouses and nature reserve.
Kent also has strong rail connections to many coastal towns, so a car isn’t essential for every stay. If you’re deciding which part of the county to visit, our guide to exploring the Kent coast covers its main seaside towns, beaches and bays in more detail.
Harbours, Seaside Towns and Kent’s Coastal Landmarks
Whitstable is one of the best-known destinations on the north Kent coast. The town has a working harbour, independent shops and a long association with oysters. Nearby Herne Bay has a seafront, pier and beach, while Reculver Towers form a distinctive landmark further along the coast.
Around the Isle of Thanet, Margate combines its main sandy beach with Turner Contemporary and the restored Dreamland amusement park. Broadstairs has several beaches and bays, including Viking Bay in the centre of town, while Ramsgate is known for its Royal Harbour and marina.
Further south, Deal has a long seafront, pier and Deal Castle. Dover is dominated by its castle and the White Cliffs, with coastal walking routes providing views across the English Channel. Folkestone has a harbour, seafront and the Harbour Arm, while Hythe is one of the starting points for the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway.
At the southern end of the county, Dungeness is home to two nuclear power stations, historic lighthouses and one of Britain’s largest areas of shingle.
Kent Cottages, Seafront Apartments and Beach Houses
The type of accommodation available changes as you travel around the Kent coast. Whitstable and Deal have traditional cottages and houses close to the seafront, while Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate offer a mix of coastal cottages, town houses and apartments.
Sea view apartments are particularly suited to couples and smaller families who want to stay close to restaurants, shops and the beach. Larger detached houses and beach houses provide more space for families or groups, with some properties located directly beside the coast or offering direct access to the beach.
Dog-friendly cottages are available throughout Kent, including properties with enclosed gardens and easy access to coastal walks. Larger group properties offer additional bedrooms and shared living space, while some holiday homes come with private hot tubs. Depending on the location, you can also find balconies, sea-facing terraces, private parking and gardens overlooking the coast.
From Botany Bay to Dungeness: Beaches Around Kent
Kent has a surprisingly varied selection of beaches. Around Thanet, Margate Main Sands has a large sandy beach in the centre of the resort. Broadstairs has several sandy bays, including Viking Bay, Joss Bay and Botany Bay. Botany Bay is particularly recognisable because of the chalk cliffs and sea stacks behind the beach.
The coastline changes further south. Deal and Walmer have long pebble beaches, while Folkestone has a mixture of sand and shingle beaches. Around Romney Marsh, Greatstone has an extensive beach with sand exposed at lower tides, and nearby Dymchurch has a wide sandy beach popular with families.
Dungeness is very different from the traditional seaside resorts elsewhere in Kent. Its vast shingle beach is part of a protected landscape and is better suited to walking and wildlife watching than a conventional family beach day.
Facilities vary considerably. Resort beaches such as Margate and Viking Bay have cafés, toilets and other amenities nearby, while quieter sections of coast have fewer facilities. Seasonal dog restrictions apply at a number of Kent beaches, so check the rules for the individual beach before visiting with a dog.
