Old Kent Market in Margate This great market only opened this year, but it is already a hit. You’ ll find lots of lovely things to buy for a picnic on the beach( www. oldkentmarket. com)
KEY ANNUAL EVENTS JULY
23-31 Ramsgate Festival A week of events with something for everyone. There ' s theatre, music, film, talks, a writing competition, heritage treasure trail, market, art exhibitions and more. Further information at www. ramsgatefestival. org
Viking Coastal Trail
24-29 Ramsgate Week Royal Harbour, Ramsgate plays host to a full programme of racing and is recognised as an alternative to Cowes Week. There are lots of shore side activities planned all over Ramsgate throughout the week. Contact Royal Temple Yacht Club on 01843 591766 www. ramsgateweek. com
is an ISA approved surf school that offers group lessons, one to ones, and even summer camps. As well as surfing there is stand up paddleboarding( SUP), and for the summer there are coastal SUP tours around the beautiful coastline between Joss Bay and Margate.
At Kent Surf School( www. kentsurfschool. co. uk) you can learn to surf, SUP, sea kayak, and enjoy other water sports sessions. Or why not sign up for one of their packages such as the Surf Safari which includes learning to surf followed by a powerboat experience, or SurfnShoot which combines surfing with paint balling at Quex Park.
Boat trips At Rib Request( www. ribrequest) you can join in on seal and wildlife safaris, visit the wind farms, travel around the beaches and bays( including Goodwin Sands), and go ship spotting.
Sea Seacher( www. seasearcher. co. uk) offers sightseeing trips, seal and wildlife watching, boat charter and sea angling.
Viking Coastal Trail The Viking Coastal Trail is a gorgeous, 32-mile circular cycle trail, perfect for avid cyclists or beginners – and walkers too – and can be done as a whole or in sections. More details about how to work your way around it can be found at www. vikingcoastaltrail. co. uk. If you would rather not walk the trail, you can hire a bike from a variety of places including The Bike Shed and Ken’ s Bike Shop( both in Margate), Broadstairs’ Bike Hire, and even the Viking Coastal Trail Bike Hire at Minnis Bay, which also hires out Surrey bikes – hard work, but great fun! You can go along the coastal walk from Minnis to Reculver – you will have the coast on one side, the countryside on the other – and there is a pub at both the beginning and the end!
Jet Skiing For all your jet skiing hire, launch and retrieval needs go to Jet Ski World( www. jetskiworld. co. uk).
Mini Golf Whether on the clifftops at Victoria Parade( www. minigolfbroadstairs. com), the promenade at Westbrook( www. strokesadventuregolf. com) or at the Palm Bay Games Centre( and there is tennis there too) you will be able to find a mini golf course to suit you.
Thanet Coast Project This offers fun and educational coastal wildlife related events and activities, including seashore safaris( www. nekmpa. org. uk).
Active Ramsgate Active Ramsgate( www. ramsgatetown. org) offers a variety of cycling routes, walking trails, geocaching and – new for 2016 – two canoe trails( one guided and one self-guided).
Margate Beach Sport Court This is a dedicated sports court area suitable for beach volleyball, beach tennis, football, handball and cricket plus a range of fitness-based classes including yoga, BOX and Thai Chi
FOOD & DRINK AROUND THE COAST
Whether out for the day or staying for a while, food cannot be forgotten. There are dozens of exciting places to eat around Thanet.
Mannings Family Seafood This seafood stall in Margate is a must – it can be found on the seafront by Tuner Contemporary.
Ice cream parlours Morelli’ s in Broadstairs has been included in the top ice cream parlours in the UK according to www. stylist. co. uk!
Fish and chips shops
Eateries and restaurants with great sea views – there are so many, from promenade cafes, clifftop pubs and quality restaurants
AUGUST
5-7 Margate Soul Festival A weekend of live music celebrating Margate’ s relationship with the 1970s UK soul scene( www. margatesoulfestival. co. uk)( as a bonus, Margate carnival is on the 7th too).
5-12 Broadstairs Folk Week This is Broadstairs Folk Week’ s 51st year. It is a mix of dance, music, workshops, displays and much more. Contact 01843 604080 www. broadstairsfolkweek. org. uk
13 & 14 National Beach Tennis Tournament, Margate Men ' s, women ' s and mixed doubles. New for 2016- junior event. www. beachtennisuk. co. uk
17 Broadstairs Water Gala This is a fantastic day of entertainment with a raft race, fancy dress, teddy bears picnic, small airshow, crafts and trade stalls, funfair, music and a spectcular firework finale. www. broadstairswatergala. co. uk
20 & 21 Margate Masters National Beach Volleyball This popular event on Margate Main Sands will be the grand finale of this year ' s Volleyball England Beach Tour. www. volleyballengland. org
For further information on Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate to go www. visitthanet. co. uk
Mannings Family Seafood
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