COAST
COAST
Ranging in aesthetic from wide open with sweeping views out to sea , to rural and untouched , Kent lays claim to 350 miles of glorious coastline and more Blue Flag beaches than any other county in England . The variety of the coastal environments you ’ ll find across the county is staggering . In fact , Britain ’ s only officially recognised desert is located at Dungeness , the shingle beach at the southernmost point in Kent , where natural shingle , gravel and shell landscapes play host to an intriguing range of rare bird and plant life .
ith a 19-mile-long coastline that wraps around
WMargate , Broadstairs and Ramsgate , Thanet is undoubtedly the jewel in Kent ’ s coastal crown . 15 sandy beaches call those 19 miles home , six of which are Blue Flag winners and a further four of which have won Seaside Awards . Pretty impressive …
Head to Joss Bay , just a 30-minute stroll from Broadstairs ’ town centre and you ’ ll find chalk cliffs , a shallow bay for swimming and a surf school for those that like to get out amongst the waves . A go-to destination for classic seaside fun , lively Margate Main Sands is a huge stretch of curved beach where you can head for high-octane excitement or a more contemplative slice of culture .
Another cultural hotspot , Folkestone has a creative scene that continues to thrive under a really collective community vibe where independent businesses fill onceempty spaces . Catching up with Folkestone ’ s infectious trendiness is Deal , a Kentish coastal gem recently ranked as one of the best places to live in the whole of Britain .
An absolute must for seafood fans , Whistable is so synonymous with oysters that it hosts a whole festival dedicated to the marvellous molluscs every July . And , of course , no introduction to Kent ’ s incredible coastline would be complete without a mention of the county ’ s most iconic landmark : The White Cliffs of Dover . This remarkable symbol of wartime defense reaches a lofty height of 350 feet and owes its striking appearance to a composition of chalk accented by streaks of black flint . With far-reaching views giving a glimpse of France on the clearest of days , no trip to Kent ’ s coast is complete without taking it in .
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