Broadstairs is the jewel in Thanet’s crown and a delightful resort along the east coast of Kent with a backdrop of chalk cliffs and seven golden bays to be explored. Surrounded on either side by its neighbours Margate and Ramsgate these three towns are collectively referred to as the Isle of Thanet. Whilst in the past Thanet was separated from the mainland it’s no longer an island but is still a stunning place to visit.
Getting there:
By car: from the M25 take the M2 which leads into East Kent until it becomes the A299 (Thanet Way). From there, follow signs into Broadstairs. For rail travellers, Broadstairs is just 75 minutes from London by the high speed service with Southeastern from St. Pancras. Other services also operate from London Victoria and Charing Cross.
See and do:
Viking Bay
First and foremost enjoy the beauty of Viking Bay. It’s an idyllic horseshoe shaped bay running between the harbour jetty at one end and the foot of the cliffs at the other. Unlike many seaside resorts where the beach stretches out at low tide as far as the eye can see, Viking Bay is a picturesque cove from where you can watch the waves gently lapping the golden sand.
With colourful beach huts for hire, water sports aplenty and a surf school operating between March and October, visitors to Broadstairs can be as active or restful as they wish. Broadstairs also boasts more beaches to the north with Stone Bay and Botany Bay both being lovely with their backdrop of chalk cliffs and golden sand.
Viking Bay was a favourite holiday destination for Charles Dickens who once wrote a complimentary piece on the town known as ‘Our English Watering Place’. The town’s association with Dickens is celebrated throughout the town (see below).
Dickens House Museum
Charles Dickens is an important character in this part of Kent, and Broadstairs is extremely proud of its Dickensian connection. The Dickens House Museum celebrates Charles Dickens’ long association with Broadstairs where he was a frequent visitor between 1837 and 1851. The museum is housed in the seafront cottage that was his inspiration for the home of Betsy Trotwood in David Copperfield.
The museum was once the cliff top home of Mary Pearson Strong an elderly spinster who Dickens knew well from his many visits to the town. Miss Strong bequeathed the property to the local council on the condition it became a museum celebrating the author’s links with Broadstairs. Two years later Dickens House Museum was officially opened by the novelist’s great-grandson, Peter Dickens.
Visitors are welcomed to the museum with a short introductory talk from one of the enthusiastic volunteers before following a self-guided tour. The galleries contain items that once belonged to Charles Dickens including first editions, letters written about Broadstairs, his writing box and mahogany sideboard together with a fine collection of Victorian costumes. Dickens House Museum
Town Trails
For a small town, Broadstairs offers visitors a selection of walking trails. Detailed guides can be picked up from the visitor information kiosk or downloaded here.
Dickens Town Trail
Follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens on the Dickens Town Trail. The trail starts at the Dickens House Museum so it’s a good idea to do this after visiting there. The trail takes visitors through the town passing the Charles Dickens Bar and Restaurant that was formerly the Broadstairs Assembly Rooms and Royal Kent Library where Dickens bought a two week subscription in 1837.
The route continues along to the Royal Albion Hotel (formerly the Albion Hotel) which was where in 1839 Dickens completed his third novel, Nicholas Nickleby. The hotel looked so inviting that we decided to call in for lunch. Furnished in New England style with a seaside vibe, there’s also a large outdoor terrace overlooking the bay. Royal Albion Hotel
Back on the trail continue along Albion Street passing the Balmoral Gardens and Dickens Walk before heading under the archway and following the uphill path to Bleak House on Fort Road. Dickens rented this castle like property overlooking Viking Bay between 1850 and 1851 and it is where he wrote his concluding chapters of David Copperfield. It’s now a private property and therefore only possible to view the exterior. From Bleak House retrace your steps downhill to the pretty harbour and pier. Dickens Town Trail
The Broadstairs Town Trail
This self-guided walk features 10 illustrated boards offering insights into the town’s history, notable people including Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria alongside the town’s architectural highlights.
The Dickens and Turner Walk
Visitors feeling more energetic can follow the four mile (6km) Dickens and Turner Walk between the two seaside resorts of Broadstairs and Margate. The trail takes around two hours to complete and provides an opportunity to explore the Turner Contemporary and Margate Old Town. There’s no need to worry about having to walk back though as the Thanet Loop bus connects the two towns with a service every 8 minutes, (fare £2).
Victoria Gardens
Victoria Gardens lies above Viking Bay cliff top and was opened in 1892 by Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Victoria. The gardens are attractively laid out and home to a Victorian bandstand. A concert was taking place on the Saturday afternoon we visited, so we paused awhile to watch. The gardens also feature a clock tower that was rebuilt in the 1970’s to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Stroll through the old town
Enjoy a wander through the town with its many interesting small shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants. Broadstairs has a refined air which is reflected in its array of high end boutiques and eateries. Throughout the town, there are streets named after Dickens and plaques on facades of the many places he stayed in on his visits to the town.
Dining
Whilst at the seaside it’s an ideal opportunity to enjoy some freshly caught seafood. We dined at the Tartar Frigate located on the harbour side as it has an excellent reputation in Kent for its seafood. The 18th century flint inn has a ground floor bar with the upstairs restaurant boasting panoramic views across the bay.
We feasted on dishes of sea bass and skate wings which were cooked to perfection tasting extremely fresh and flavoursome. Portions were very generous but we couldn’t resist a dessert especially as GypsyTart, a local Kent speciality was on the menu.
I hadn’t heard of this tart before but enjoyed its sweet taste as it is made with evaporated milk and brown sugar. The Tartar Frigate
So there you have it, lots of reasons to visit beautiful Broadstairs in south east England.
