insideKENT Magazine Issue 65 - August 2017 | Page 67

DAYSOUT
KENT’S BEST BEACHES
Aren’t we the lucky ones here in Kent? AMONGST THE UK’S INCREDIBLE RANGE
OF BEACHES, THE KENT COAST BOASTS SOME OF THE VERY BEST. NOT SO LONG AGO,
OUR BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE WAS THE SUMMER HOLIDAY OF CHOICE FOR MANY LONDONERS,
AND, THANKS TO THE EVER-PRESENT SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND EXCELLENT AMENITIES,
THOSE LONG, CAREFREE HOLIDAYS ARE STILL ENJOYED TODAY. KENT’S BEACHES NEVER
GET OLD, THEY NEVER GET BORI NG, AND THEY ALWAYS WELCOME NEWCOMERS AND
RETURN VISITORS WITH EQUAL PLEASURE.
BOTANY BAY , BROADSTAIRS
Winner of a Blue Flag Award for 2016, Botany Bay is a haven for families,
explorers, photographers and those looking for somewhere peaceful and
serene to relax for a day – or more. Tucked away between beautiful chalk
stacks, this tranquil beach is said to have been given its rather wonderful name
due to the many smugglers in the area. If they were caught (as they often
were), the sentence was transportation, and the landing place in Australia was
called Botany Bay.
The sandy beach at Botany Bay is an excellent place for fossil hunting
when the tide is out, and there are plenty of rock pools around that will give
children and adults alike many a happy hour of exploration.
Amenities include a nearby café and pub, deckchair hire, seasonal toilets,
seasonal lifeguards, and a first aid point. Dogs are not allowed on the beach
between 10am and 6pm from 1st May until 30th September.
Sat nav: CT10 3LG
SUNNY SANDS , FOLKESTONE
Sunny Sands has the distinction of being one of the very few sandy beaches that can be
found within an hour’s travel of London – a rare thing indeed. And although that can
mean that Sunny Sands itself can get fairly busy on nice days, that shouldn’t put you off
from visiting – especially if you or the kids love to build sandcastles. There is an annual
sand castle building competition that takes place here, which is testament to just how
perfect the golden sand actually is.
Located next to Folkestone harbour, there are plenty of amenities here that mean
your day out can be one of completely uninterrupted enjoyment. There are cafés,
restaurants and pubs within walking distance, including fish and chip shops and the
Pleasure Beach café. There are toilets too, as well as a fun gift shop. Parking is easy and
convenient with two long term car parks close to the beach itself and another a short
walk away.
Sat nav: CT19 6AU
MARGATE MAIN SANDS , MARGATE
Margate is a fantastic seaside town, and the epitome of the great British summer holiday
with its quirky gift shops, fantastic restaurants, fresh fish stalls and promenade stores selling
buckets and spades and beach balls. The beach itself – Margate Main Sands – is a wide,
sweeping sandy bay that is popular but that never feels too busy thanks to its generous size.
The beach has a tidal pool that offers wonderful opportunities to paddle and swim, and,
unlike many beaches, when the tide is in there is still plenty of sand left to play in and on.
Just a short stroll down the sands is a children’s fairground with many rides to play on,
as well as a number of amusement arcades for when it’s time to get out of the sun. Walking
in the opposite direction will take you to Turner Contemporary, the world-renowned art
gallery.
Amenities at Margate Main Sands include a beach shop, deckchair hire, sun lounger
hire, toilets, seasonal lifeguards, disabled access, beach wheelchairs, information about the
bay and a first aid point.
Sat nav: CT9 1XJ
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