If you’re yet to explore Kent’s coastline, you might be surprised by how dramatically it changes as you travel along it. Some beaches sit beside lively seaside towns with cafés, harbour walks, and art-filled streets, while others stretch into quiet, open landscapes built for watching the sunset fall over the horizon. Whether you’re looking for somewhere sociable for a classic seaside day or somewhere peaceful for a long coastal walk, the county offers an impressive variety of shoreline within relatively short distances.
From the bustling sandy bays of Broadstairs and Margate to the wide open horizons of Romney Marsh or the dramatic landscapes of Dungeness, Kent’s beaches each have their own character. Some are ideal for swimming and traditional seaside days, while others reward walkers, photographers, and those simply looking for space to slow down beside the sea.
Find your favourite below, with our round up of some of the most distinctive beaches across Kent – many of them remarkably close to Bloom Stays homes.
Botany Bay (Broadstairs)
Of all the beaches around Broadstairs, Botany Bay is usually the one people seek out the most for its landscape. Tall, white chalk stacks rise from the sand, creating natural arches and rock pools that appear when the tide drops. At low tide, the beach opens out into wide swathes of sand, making it ideal for exploring pools, photographing the cliffs, or paddling along the coast towards nearby Kingsgate Bay.
There are steps down from the clifftop and relatively few facilities compared with Broadstairs’ main beaches, which keeps the atmosphere quieter. It’s best visited around low tide when the rock formations and sandy shoreline are fully visible. Dogs are restricted on the central beach from May to September, but permitted along neighbouring sections.
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Hythe–Sandgate Beach
Between Hythe and Sandgate runs one of the most enjoyable seafront walks in Kent, with open views of Dungeness and the English Channel. The long shingle beach is backed by a broad promenade where locals cycle, walk dogs, and stop at small cafés and restaurants along the way.
The historic town of Hythe sits directly behind the beach, complete with its medieval high street, canal path, and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, so a seaside walk easily blends into café visits or a browsing of independent shops. Sandgate has become equally known for its independent coffee spots and relaxed seaside atmosphere.
With a shelving shoreline, this stretch of beautiful beach is suited well to walkers, paddleboarders and swimmers, and dogs are welcome year-round along much of the promenade and shoreline.
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Tankerton Beach
Just east of Whitstable harbour, Tankerton Beach offers one of Kent’s most distinctive coastal features: a natural shingle causeway known locally as ‘The Street’, which appears at low tide and stretches far out to sea. Visitors appear to walk the ridge as the water recedes, explore rock pools, or sit on the sandy patches revealed below the huts, while the grassy Tankerton Slopes above the beach are ideal for picnics with sea views. Calmer than central Whitstable, Tankerton is a true favourite of locals (including those of us at Bloom Stays), and remains a short walk from cafés and restaurants. Dogs are restricted on the main hut section in summer but welcome along neighbouring stretches.
Visitors often walk along it as the water recedes, with views back towards the colourful line of beach huts and the gentle slopes of Tankerton.
The grassy clifftop lawns above the beach make this a good place for picnics and relaxed afternoons overlooking the sea. Whitstable’s cafés, seafood restaurants, and independent shops are a short walk away, so it’s easy to combine time on the beach with exploring the town. Dogs are generally welcome here throughout the year.
Thinking of staying in Tankerton? Check out our holiday homes nearby >>>
Sunny Sands, Folkestone
Tucked beneath Folkestone’s old fishing quarter, Sunny Sands is one of the few sandy beaches along this part of the Kent coast. Its sheltered bay and soft sand make it particularly popular with families looking for somewhere to paddle and relax.
The beach sits directly beside Folkestone Harbour and the Creative Quarter, so you’re only minutes from galleries, restaurants, and the lively food stalls along Folkestone Harbour Arm. Despite being central, the setting still feels characterful, framed by fishing boats and colourful houses rising above the harbour.
Dogs are restricted on the sand during peak summer months.
Thinking of staying in Folkestone? Check out our holiday homes nearby >>>
Greatstone Beach
Further down the coast towards Romney Marsh, Greatstone Beach offers a very different feel. Instead of bustling seaside towns, you’ll find quieter stretches of pale sand and low dunes, with uninterrupted horizon views towards Dungeness.
The shallow gradient means the beach becomes enormous when the tide goes out, making it ideal for long walks, kite flying, and relaxed days by the sea without large crowds. Even during summer it tends to feel spacious and unhurried, making it very easy to spend an entire day here.
Dogs are welcome year-round across most of the beach, which also makes it a favourite for visitors travelling with pets.
Thinking of staying in Greatstone? Check out our holiday homes nearby >>>
Margate Main Sands
Right beside Margate’s old town and Turner Contemporary, Main Sands pairs a classic bay with immediate access to independent restaurants, bakeries, and galleries once you step away from the sand.
The gently curving shoreline and tidal sand flats are excellent for families and swimming, while the backdrop – Georgian terraces, amusement rides, and art galleries – gives it a distinctive urban-seaside energy.
It’s busiest in summer and during events, but visiting early morning or off-season reveals a calmer side. Dogs are restricted May–September on the main sands but allowed on adjacent beaches nearby.
Thinking of staying in Margate? Check out our holiday homes nearby >>>
Best beaches for those who don’t love beaches…
Some coastal spots in Kent don’t quite fit the typical seaside day of swimming and sunbathing, but they’re still worth visiting if you enjoy dramatic scenery or unusual landscapes…
Pegwell Bay (nr Ramsgate)
Pegwell Bay near Ramsgate may not be a classic sunbathing beach, but it’s one of the most interesting coastal landscapes in Kent. Sitting at the mouth of the River Stour near Ramsgate, the shoreline is formed of mudflats, saltmarsh, and shingle, creating an important habitat for migratory birds.
Because of this, it’s particularly popular with walkers, photographers, and wildlife watchers. The broader Pegwell Bay Country Park offers coastal paths and open grassland, making it a peaceful place to explore rather than have a swim.
Thinking of staying in Ramsgate? Check out our holiday homes nearby >>>
Dungeness
Dungeness feels almost otherworldly compared with the rest of the Kent coast. Instead of sand, the shoreline is made up of vast shingle expanses dotted with weathered fishermen’s huts, lighthouses, and the famous Prospect Cottage, once owned by filmmaker Derek Jarman.
It’s probably of little surprise that people tend to come here for atmosphere over swimming. Photographers love the stark landscape, walkers explore the shingle paths, and visitors often stop at the welcoming The Pilot Inn for lunch. The surrounding nature reserve is also known for rare plants and incredible birdlife, adding another layer of interest to this unusual coastal setting.
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Planning a trip to the seaside in Kent?
These beaches show just how varied Kent’s coastline can be: from sociable seaside towns, to quiet nature reserves and beautiful open sands. For visitors staying in the county, the sea is rarely far away, and a day by the coast is often one of the highlights of a Kent getaway.
If you’d like help matching a venue with suitable nearby homes for your guest groups, our team can advise on location, capacity, and availability. You can reach us on 01227 903404, via email, at [email protected] or on WhatsApp, on 07361584861.
