DAYSOUT
Dog Days Out cont...
STONE BAY, BROADSTAIRS
Broadstairs to Margate Coastal Walk( visitthanet. co. uk). This six-mile stretch allows you to take in the breathtaking views of Thanet’ s eastern tip, taking roughly two to three hours to complete. At low tide, walkers can explore the beaches along the way, while at high tide, clifftop paths provide equally spectacular views of the coastline. Beginning in the attractive seaside town of Broadstairs, the walk is manageable and convenient, with a number of accessible parking spots available in the town centre.
Begin your coastal walk with a coffee in hand from Giant Coffee(@ giant _ coffeebroadstairs), a welcoming, dog-friendly café in Broadstairs that serves a range of barista coffees, cakes and speciality drinks. From there, head down to Viking Bay, Broadstairs’ main beach with its iconic colourful beach huts where you can begin your coastal journey to Margate. Witness the chalkstacked cliffs of Stone Bay and, at the halfway point, experience the pristine waters of Dumpton Gap, a year-round dog-friendly beach perfect for you and your four-legged friend to have a welldeserved dip.
Once you have arrived in the cultural hub of Margate, stop for food and drinks at The George and Heart House( georgeandheart. com), a lovingly restored 18th-century pub with a private dogfriendly garden. The menu celebrates locally sourced produce, with carefully crafted dishes and traditional Sunday roasts that pair perfectly with a selection of local craft beers and signature cocktails- and dogs are equally well catered for, too! Finish off the day by retracing your steps along the coastal walk or taking a direct train from Margate to Broadstairs.
For history-lovers in search of a dogfriendly day out, make your way to Scotney Castle( nationaltrust. org. uk). One of the National Trust’ s historic estates, it features a ruined medieval castle, Victorian mansion house and acres of untouched parkland. With their dog on a lead, owners are allowed to explore the romantic landscaped gardens where you’ ll discover a sunken quarry garden, cultivated borders and an ancient moat that wraps around the ruined castle with a Victorian boathouse.
Explore one of the many scenic walks across the estate’ s 780-acre parkland and ancient Wealden woodland; with a diverse environment, there is an abundance of wildlife including the rare Downy Emerald and Brilliant Emerald dragonflies among the estate’ s lakes and woodlands. After exploring the grounds, head to the tea room, where dogs are welcome both indoors during quieter periods and in the outside seating areas. Here, you can indulge in a range of delicious cakes and refreshments, all while taking in the picturesque rolling parkland of Scotney’ s centuries-old estate.
60 • www. insidekent. co. uk