Seaside-Margate, Ramsgate , Deal , Broadstairs, sandwich

Actor Jeremy Swift ( Spratt on Downton Abbey) wrote an article for the Telegraph about Deal.

Provided enough inside intel to make me want to visit.

I’d also consider Whitsable.

Do let us know which seaside spot you finally choose.

Where will you be coming from is the important question?

Margate.....No.
Ramsgate....No.
Deal...No.
Broadstairs....I don't know.
Sandwich...probably not.

British seaside towns were at their heyday in the Victorian Era before undertaking a steady decline which steadily increased once cheap package holidays to Europe (mainly Spain) arrived.

Most traditional seaside resorts have become shadows of their former selves, grand hotels turned into multi occupancy housing/bail hostels/migrant accomodation. Low unemployment opportunities have forced the talented and employable to move and with London being closer proximity to the resorts you mention you can guess where those people have gone.

British seaside resorts no longer hold the same appeal as they once did. Why go to Margate when you can travel to Spain or Greece, spend less money and enjoy guaranteed sunshine?

The UK has some wonderful beaches, Wales has one that has been voted the best in Europe, but they won't be seaside resorts. There are some resorts that have retained their charm and allure but they're not the one's you've mentioned.

Margate is on the way up, if you are interested in modern art it has The Turner Contemporary right on the sea front. The train station is also almost on the sea front. There are bus services to the other two towns in Thanet, Margate also has what could called a quirky old Town area with boutiques and cafes worth a look. Broadstairs and Ramsgate. (The bus called the Loop) runs from Cecil Square a short walk up hill from the station. Buses also run frequently to Canterbury.
Broadstairs has a fifties feel to it, it can busy with students at times during the day, lovely sandy beaches and some nice walks along the edge of the beach towards Ramsgate. Accommodation there are plenty of Bed and Breakfasts and The Royal Albion Hotel which I am told is not bad, again buses to Ramsgate and Margate.

Ramsgate, has the only Royal Harbour in the country, historic Wartime Tunnels worth a visit to see how they managed at that time. Shopping is pretty dire. If you do want to shop |I would suggest a day in Canterbury or a shorter bus ride to Westwood Cross where the main shops are. All the usual British High Street chain shops are there. The rail station at Ramsgate is a bus ride from the town. If you stay in one of towns you can easily reach the others or take yet another bus to the historic town of Sandwich and explore there.

Thanks all

I’d be coming from Gatwick or London. Not so much into shopping or the resort aspect... more a nice place with some historical stuff would be nice. I’ve been to St Ives, Clovelley, and all over Cornwall.....thought there might be some others nearer London or Gatwick

Cheers!

The nearest to Gatwick would be Brighton but it doesn't sound like it will fit the bill. I'll recommend Chichester. Very attractive town and estuary setting, get down to the small villages like Bosham and you also have the Roman Palace remains at Fishbourne.

Does it have to be Kent? Whitstable is a pleasant town with some good restaurants and art galleries. I wouldn’t recommend Margate or Ramsgate.

Hythe has the Royal Military Canal (built to keep Napoleon out but never used for this purpose) with pleasant walks along the tow path or the seafront and the nearby Kent Battle of Britain Museum near Folkestone is interesting if you like WW2 stuff. There’s a safari park at Port Lympne a mile or so away.

If it doesn’t have to be on the coast, Wye and Chilham between Ashford and Canterbury are well served by trains and are pretty villages with many footpaths around for walking.

I predict that many will recommend Rye, further along the coast.

In Suffolk, Southwold is an upmarket seaside village as is nearby Aldeburgh.

As has already been stated, most seaside towns are faded shadows of their former selves.

Thank you so very much all! This is so helpful. I was I was just looking for some nice days out for me to get to via train, and these very much help. Thank you!