KENTSTAYCATION
BESIDE THE
SEASIDE
BLESSED WITH NO LESS THAN 350 MILES OF MEANDERING COASTLINE , KENT HAS FOREVER BEEN A DESTINATION CELEBRATED AND ADORED FOR ITS SPECTACULAR SEASIDE .
© @ thanet _ photos
Claiming a jagged corner of south east England , Kent is proud home to a plethora of balmy beaches , tranquil bays and vibrant seaside towns - each one unique and offering their own take on maritime heritage and 21st-century life beside the seaside . As with most destinations in Kent , the characters of our beaches and seaside towns have developed into what they are today as a direct result of their geographical placing and landscape . From the beaches of Thanet that tinkle with the chimes of ice cream vans and fairground rides upon the sand to the serene sound of wildlife and the waves that lap upon the pebbles of Sandwich Bay , there truly is a beach to suit every desire here in Kent .
Few counties can combine such a sense of regional identity , as both The Garden of England and seaside haven , where quintessentially English scenery marries into European displays of beach life and coastal views . Successive tides of invaders and visitors have left their legacies , too - from the ancient Romans to visiting EU officials - but beneath the veneer of exciting modern development and change remains a sense of timelessness and a stubborn Kentish outlook . One such place that perfectly represents this magnificent blend of seaside tradition and a much-welcomed makeover is Margate . The striking Turner Contemporary art gallery , plus a whole host of funky cafés , cool wine bars and independent shops , are juxtaposed against the traditions of a town by the sea : golden sands , tired yet much-loved amusement arcades and even a jellied eel vendor meet this modernity in a joyous unison , thus creating an identity the town is so adored for .
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