5 Best Coastal Towns In Kent, Ranked

One of the benefits of moving from London to Kent is having the seaside only a short car ride away. I’ve visited every seaside town in Kent and love telling people what to see and do in each. Whether you’re looking for just a day trip or thinking of moving to the coast, find out what to see and do, the best places to eat and drink and annual events in each town for families and couples (or maybe you’re looking for the best sandy beaches in Kent?)

Margate

Train from London: Victoria or St. Pancras – 1h30m to 2h
Recommended car park: Dreamland, Belgrave Rd, Margate CT9 1XG

Things to do in Margate

Margate is my favourite coastal town in Kent. I even got married there! So I definitely think Margate is worth visiting.

The amusement park Dreamland makes Margate unique in Kent. Ride all your favourite rides such as dodgems, the ghost train, the Ferris wheel and the UK’s oldest wooden rollercoaster. Dreamland also hosts major musical acts in the summer, making it the premier destination for gigs and concerts in Kent.

The Turner Contemporary art gallery is one of a few major art galleries in Kent. There’s also two very fun mini golf courses and several amusement arcades too. Margate’s incredible shell grotto has to be seen to believe. And there’s a rare sandy beach too (two if you include Walpole Bay in Cliftonville too)! If you have a car, there’s a great cinema in the next town too in Westgate-on-Sea. Read my full guide on things to do in Margate.

Shopping in Margate

Margate is also a favourite of mine for the best independent shops too. Harbour & Tide and Asobi are great gift shops, while Positive Retail, Zig Zag footwear and Werkhaus Margate have you covered for clothes. There are two great bookshops, The Margate Bookshop & The Old Bank Bookshop.

Food and drink in Margate

I think Margate has the best restaurants of any coastal town in Kent – Michelin seem to agree too. Margate has the most restaurants listed in Kent of any of the seaside towns. Those restaurants are Sete, Angela’s, Bottega Caruso and Sargasso. I can also recommend High Dive, Daisy, Forts Cafe and the Bus Cafe. Read my full guide on restaurants and cafes and best bars and pubs in Margate.

Annual events in Margate

Margate Soul Weekender – August
Margate Festival of Design – October
Margate Pride – August
Margate Bookie – September and October
Margate Summer Series – June to September

Folkestone

Train from London: Victoria or St Pancras – 1h to 1h30m
Recommended car park: Middelburg Square – CT20 1AU

Things to do in Folkestone

Folkestone is my second favourite seaside town in Kent as it’s very similar to Margate.

I would say Folkestone has the best art scene on the list too. There’s a public art walking trail that’s free (Richard Woods’ Holiday Home and Anthony Gormley’s Another Time XVIII are my favourites) while the Folkestone Triennial is held every 3 years.

The Harbour has been gloriously regenerated, becoming a hub for the town so you’ll definitely want to dedicate time here (see the photos of my day trip to Folkestone). Play mini golf on the beach at Folkestone Harbour Adventure Golf or try your hand at darts and shuffleboard at the Board Room. The Goods Yard offers a selection of gift stalls, a street food market and a big screen which shows films and sporting events during the summer months.

Elsewhere, The Quarterhouse hosts comedy nights and gigs often throughout the year while Silver Screen Cinema Folkestone is a beautiful old fashioned cinema showing the latest movies.

Shopping in Folkestone

Most of the best shops are located along Old High Street. For vintage clothes, there’s Bounce Vintage. Dead Bunny Creations offers hand painted unique, bright and colourful jewellery made from sustainable materials. Moo Like A Monkey is the cutest toy shop you’ll ever visit. And there’s the Folkestone food market for all your deli and alcohol needs.

Food and drink in Folkestone

Like Margate, Folkestone has several places worth booking a table at. Market Square offers European dishes (this is my go to place for breakfast and brunch). And there are several places at Harbour Arm and Goods Yard aside from the street food stalls. The Lighthouse Tasting Rooms has quickly gained a reputation for serving fresh seafood dishes. For dessert, Bubbles and Cones has you covered for your absolutely necessary seaside ice cream. And enjoy drinks as the sun goes down at Folkestone Lighthouse for drinks (and take a customary photo for your Instagram of course).

Annual events in Folkestone

Film and sports screenings at Harbour Arm
Folkestone Electronic Dance Music Weekender – June
Creative Folkestone Book Festival
Charivari Day – July
Folkestone Festivals at the Bandstand – June – September

Whitstable

Train from London: Victoria or St Pancras – 1h30m
Recommended car park: I actually recommend parking for free in Tankerton and walking 20 minutes along the seafront to Whitstable

Things to do in Whitstable

Whitstable may lack family fun things to do compared to Margate and Folkestone. I see Whitstable more as a place to eat, drink and shop so ideal for couples. There is Whitstable Castle and Gardens and bowling at MFA bowl. And there’s the beach of course (although it’s a shingle beach so no sandcastles unfortunately and bring something comfy to sit on). For adults, you can feel rejuvenated at the Sea Scrub Sauna complete with beach views.

Shopping in Whitstable

What Whitstable lacks in traditional fun things to do, it more than makes up for it in independent shops. We Sell By The Sea hosts several stalls from gifts to fashion. They’ve also just welcomed Bombo who sell incredible fresh handmade donuts. Harbour Books looks like the bookshop from your dreams. The Whiting Post/Bunting & Bowline has chic clothing and accessories for women. Gatefield Sounds is one of the best vinyl record stores in Kent. And Harbour Market has independent stalls selling art, gifts and food.

Food and drink in Whitstable

If you love oysters, there is no better place in Kent than Whitstable. They even have an annual oyster festival. There’s Whistable Oyster Company on the beach or you might have seen the facade of Wheeler’s Oyster Bar pop up on your Instagram feed. I think Whitstable has the best ice cream shop in Kent too – Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium. They have a new menu each time I visit with a new and unique combination of flavours that rivals any ice cream I’ve had in London. I also recommend a quick bite at the very funky retro cafe Revival Food & Mood cafe. And make sure you enjoy a cold drink on the beach at the Old Neptune pub (although it can get a little crowded at the mere appearance of the sun).

Annual events in Whitstable

Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival – July
Whitstable Regatta – August
Whitstable Harbour Day – August

Broadstairs

Train from London: Victoria or St Pancras – 1h30m to 2h
Recommended car park: Saint Peter’s Park Road – CT10 2BG

Things to do in Broadstairs

Despite its diminutive stature versus other towns on this list, I think Broadstairs punches above its weight. Charles Dickens was very complimentary about the town. Learn more about the renowned author at the Dickens House Museum. Lillyputt Mini Golf is one of the most difficult mini golf courses I’ve ever played (the other being CrazyPutt Adventure Golf at the O2). The Palace Cinema shows the latest major and independent films.

Shopping in Broadstairs

Another reason I love visiting Broadstairs are the independent shops. Some of my favourites include the clothing shop Kope + Loko, Plantlet the little botanical shop and Memento for art prints and gifts. And it has a long sandy beach.

Food and drink in Broadstairs

The food options rival those of Margate and Folkestone too. Forts Cafe is great for breakfast and brunch. Morelli’s Gelato always has a queue outside – and for good reason. Broadstairs has one Michelin rated restaurant, Kebells Seafood Bar. Twenty Seven Harbour Street has gained a reputation for serving delicious seasonal dishes. But Jetty Broadstairs remains my favourite restaurant in Broadstairs, with jaw dropping sea views to boot. See a full list of my favourite places to eat in Broadstairs. And honorary mention for BeMe Tea and their punchy bubble teas. See my full guide on the best places to eat in Broadstairs.

Annual events in Broadstairs

Broadstairs Folk Week – August
Broadstairs Dickens Festival – June
Broadstairs Food Festival – April

Deal

Train from London: Victoria or St Pancras – 1h40m to 2h
Recommended car park: Middle Street – CT14 7AG

Things to do in Deal

I think Deal is the most underrated coastal town in Kent (on second thought, maybe I shouldn’t be recommending it…). Deal is where I go to if I want a quiet day on the coast away from the crowds. The beach is a lot quieter, even in the summer months (also a shingle beach, *shakesfist). I also recommend visiting Deal Castle and Walmer Castle (the latter is absolutely stunning in the summer) to learn more about the history of the area. And if you enjoy taking photos, Deal is also one of my favourite places to photograph on this list (see my photos of my day trip to Deal).

Shopping in Deal

There aren’t a ton of shopping options in Deal. I recommend Smuggler’s Records for vinyl records. The Place to is great for gifts. And Positive Retail offers premium wear for resale.

Food and drink in Deal

For incredibly themed afternoon tea I recommend The Lane (review). The Courtyard Bar and Restaurant offers fresh local seafood and has a gin bar. 81 Beach Street is a bistro that celebrates Kent’s coast. I think The Blue Pelican is one the best Japanese restaurants in Kent. Or walk along Deal Pier and enjoy sea views with a drink in hand from Deal Pier Kitchen.