In Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs

Are we nearly there yet?  Well it won’t be too long.  Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are just a short car or train ride away from London.  The area offers great opportunities for family breaks.

Boasting endless miles of beautiful coastline, 15 sandy beaches and bays, many with Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards, good value accommodation, quirky and fun attractions and lots of free events and festivals to enjoy.  More traditional seaside fun includes donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows, sandcastle building and rockpooling, but there are a lot of new things to try as well.

The Thanet Coast Project is a leader in its field and works to protect and promote the areas unique coastline and the marine and bird life associated with the sandy beaches, rocky shores, chalk cliffs, reefs and sea caves.  The project does this through some really brilliant events and activities such as Seashore Safaris where you can hunt and record what lurks between the tides, Wildlife Sailings – to see the seals and the sandbanks, Rock Doc Walks – to discover the ancient wonders of the chalk cliffs, flints, fossils and sands.  The whole family can join in and it’s not just fun, it's educational too, plus some of the activities are free – what could be better?

The Viking Coastal Trail, known as one of the most attractive leisure cycle routes in Kent, offers 43.5km (27 miles) of family-friendly cycling on level, traffic-free promenades and broad sea walls, or along leisurely country lanes.  You can pick up the trail at any point and there are an array of popular attractions and plenty of places to stop for a meal or drink along the way.  There are even six themed mini routes to explore from Historic Broadstairs and Smugglers Haunts rides covering 6km (3.5 miles) to the Six Churches ride covering 15.25km (9.5 miles).  
 
If you’re a family that prefers to make a splash, try some of the great watersports activities on offer.  Fly across the sand on a kite board, master perfect balance on a surf board or bounce across the salty waves on a jet ski!  There’s plenty of choice and if you’re a beginner you can get started with lessons.

Main attractions in the area include the fascinating Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens, the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum and the award winning St. Peter’s Village Tour, where costumed characters bring the history of the village to life – look out for the rats!!

There is a full calendar of events and festivals all year round, including Margate’s Big Event, which includes some great air displays, Broadstairs Folk Week which also has a programme of activities for children, Big Sky Kite Festival, plus much more.  There is also a group of local people who love the area so much they would like to share their enthusiasm with you – book a free visit with a Thanet Greeter.

Find out more about the Thanet area here

Find out more about attractions & family holidays in England’s south east here