VIKING BAY
HARBOUR HAVEN
NICKLEBY NOOK
ALBION HOUSE
A mere hop skip and jump along the shore , beach hunters will be enamoured by the beauty of Broadstairs . With its sweeping sandy stretches and blissful blue waters , Broadstairs would be a surfers ’ paradise if only it had big enough waves . This minor inconvenience however has not stopped the town from having its own surf school , Kent Surf School , and resembling its south-westerly parallel of St Ives in Cornwall , complete with sloping lanes lined with gift shops and boutiques that lead down to Viking Bay . This horseshoe-shaped bay is not only lined with rentable beach huts that look out to sea , but is also home to bustling restaurants , lively bars and eateries with unrivalled atmospheres , brilliant beach views and marvellous menus . Contenders include Morelli ’ s Gelato , as featured on page 84 , Posilippo , a family run Neapolitan restaurant , Tartar Frigate , a traditional pub serving up Kentish ales and ciders , and Jetty , which is farthest out to sea and perched on the bay ’ s iconic jetty itself . For those wanting to really embrace the beach life and this laid-back lifestyle , look no further than Beautiful Broadstairs when extending a day trip to a stay overnight here . Consisting of two properties , Harbour Haven is a three-bedroom , two-bathroom Grade II listed Georgian house and Nickleby Nook is a three-bedroom second-floor apartment with sea views on Dickens Walk , both just seconds from the sandy golden beach .
Although surfing might not quite come up to Cornish standards here in Kent , the sandy stretch of Ramsgate has instead claimed the UK title of kitesurfers ’ paradise . It was here that leading kitesurfing champion Lewis Crathern jumped a whopping 22.3 metres high , smashing his own British record in the process . As well as freestyle kitesurfing , Ramsgate is also a brilliant beach for kite foiling and wing foiling and home to one of the best kite schools in the UK : Kite Pirates . Offering lessons for beginners and providing all the kit , this is a great opportunity for those wanting to try the sport out for the first time .
Coaching is also available for intermediate and experienced kiters who want to improve on their jumps , transitions and upwind riding .
For those looking to stay overnight in Ramsgate , there ’ s no better place to pay homage to the seasideloving Victorians that Kent has so much to thank for than at Albion House . It was here that a young Queen Victoria stayed when on holiday in Ramsgate in 1835 , and today guests can stay in the very same room . Enjoy a super-king sized bed , harbour views and cocktails from the bar as you watch the last of the setting sun over the ocean . For couples and small families visiting the town that would like an affordable , home-away-from-home experience , seek refuge in Harriet via www . myseasideluxury . co . uk . A cosy , thoughtfully decorated double-bedroom apartment with a spacious kitchen , living room and bathroom , Harriet is conveniently located on a Victorian street just steps away from Ramsgate beach and a clifftop walk away from Broadstairs .
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