IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KENTSTAYCATION
48 Hours in BROADSTAIRS
BY OLIVIA RICCINI
SITTING HALFWAY ALONG THE COASTLINE OF THE ISLE OF THANET YOU WILL FIND THE BALMY BEACHES OF BROADSTAIRS . WHETHER YOU ARE WALKING ITS SANDY SHORELINES OR EXPLORING ITS MEANDERING STREETS , A SERENE SUMMER HAZE SEEMS TO LIE OVER THIS SLICE OF BEACHSIDE BLISS ALL YEAR THROUGH . VISIT BROADSTAIRS ON A HOT SUMMER ’ S DAY AND YOU COULD MISTAKE IT FOR A CORNISH SURFER HAVEN OR EVEN A MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY DESTINATION , AS YOU BECOME PART OF THE CHEERFUL CROWD THAT TREK THE STREETS IN FLIP-FLOPS , USUALLY CARRYING BAGS OF BEACH GEAR OR A TRADITIONAL SEASIDE SNACK .
VIKING BAY © Thanet Tourism
BEACHES CAFÉ BAR DICKENS HOUSE MUSEUM
A favourite of Charles Dickens , the Victorian love of British beaches has seeped through the decades and reveals itself through both architecture and attractions . Just over an hour ’ s train journey from London , if you are wanting to experience a sandy seaside stay this summer without leaving the UK , Broadstairs is the perfect place to get everything you crave from a summer holiday – from beach front restaurants to coastal trails , pack up your sun cream and straw hat and get ready to soak up the British summer at this jewel on the Kent Coast .
Day 1
BREAKFAST In the heart of the town and living up to Broadstairs ’ laid back surfer persona , you will find Beaches Café Bar ( www . facebook . com / beaches . broadstairs ) claiming a ‘ funky surf shack ’ vibe and serving up hearty home-cooked food with a trendy twist . Fronted with a pink and turquoise façade , Beaches ’ large windows look out onto the high street making it the perfect spot to people watch as you tuck into something from their extensive brunch menu such as the ‘ Sunrise Bagel ’ or famously good ‘ Big Beach Breakfast ’, made with love from local produce .
MORNING A visit to Broadstairs would not be complete without paying homage to one of Britain ’ s most famous writers , Charles Dickens . First enchanted by the traditional seaside town in 1837 at the age of 25 , the Oliver Twist writer returned for the next two decades and sought inspiration for many of his works . You can discover more about this at two locations in Broadstairs , including Dickens House Museum ( www . thanet . gov . uk / info-pages / dickens-house-museum ) that showcases his life and works through artifacts and curios , and Bleak House , the latter being his former residence in which he wrote David Copperfield . Unfortunately , Bleak House remains closed to the public at this current time , but this does not stop tourists taking a longing glance at this imposing abode that sits perched on top of the cliff that borders the town and beach .
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