With Southeastern putting on additional direct trains to the Kent coast from south east London this summer, there are plenty of day trips that won’t break the bank.
What’s happening?
From Monday 29 July, on weekdays there will be a direct service at 09:32 from Cannon Street to Ramsgate via Woolwich Arsenal and Dartford, which will connect stations directly with Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate and Broadstairs.
The service will call at thirteen south east London stations, starting from London Bridge and passing through Greenwich and Woolwich Dockyard, all the way to Erith and Belvedere, before heading into Kent.
Services will also operate at weekends, with passengers advised to check journey times on the Southeastern website.
Alongside extra direct trains, Southeastern has confirmed that it will also be running three additional services in each direction between London Victoria and Ramsgate, with extra carriages to be added during the weekends when trains will be busier.
If you’re looking for some inspiration of what to do on a day trip to the Kent Coast, we’ve rounded up four of our top seaside towns and how we think you should spend a day there:
Whitstable
If you’re a foodie you need to add Whitstable to your list of places to visit.
Just 15 minutes walk from the station, Whitstable has lots to do, from its Blue Flag beach to a bustling harbour, and a high street with plenty of pubs, restaurants and eateries to stop off at.
You can sit at Tankerton Bay, Whitstable’s Blue Flag beach, with views of the harbour and lined by colourful beach huts before exploring the town.
One thing Whitstable is best known for is its oysters, and has been since Victorian times when Whitstable supplied London with half of its oysters.
Today, the town still proudly showcases its links with its famous oysters, with many eateries serving them, and you can even do an oyster tour with Whitstable Oyster Tours for just £45, where you’ll get a chance to try some along with a glass of prosecco or beer.
If oysters aren’t your thing, you can also have afternoon tea at Whitstable Castle, which dates back to the 15th century, for just £26 a person, with vegan and gluten options available.
Afterwards why not go for a drink at The Old Neptune, locally nicknamed “the Neppy”, which is a popular drinking spot and has been on Whitstable’s seafront since the 19th century, serving a wide selection of wines, ales, beers and lager.
Margate
If you’re looking for a seaside town with plenty to see and do for all the family, you need to visit Margate.
Margate has a very accessible beach just a few minutes walk from the station, which offers sand ideal for sandcastle making.
Nearby you’ll also find Dreamland, with plenty of amusement rides from carousels to rollercoasters, which has free entry with rides open on a pay-per-ride basis.
The beachfront is also home to the Turner Art Gallery, a free art gallery home to a wide variety of modern and contemporary art exhibits, as well as the Old Kent Market, a converted cinema which has been turned into a nostalgic food court and indoor market.
A short walk from the seafront you’ll find Margate’s stunning Shell Grotto, a 70-metre underground network of tunnels completely covered in over 4.6 million shells, with tickets priced at just £4.50 for adults and £2 for children.
Afterwards why not explore Margate’s Old Town, which is home to a plethora of vintage and antique shops and independent businesses.
Broadstairs
If you’re after a more quiet seaside town that still has lots of things to do, Broadstairs is a great option with 3 nearby Blue Flag beaches and lots of local history.
If you fancy hitting the beach you’ll find Stone Bay and Joss Bay, both with views of the Kent coastline, within a 30-minute walk of the town.
The town has a strong history with author Charles Dickens, with a museum dedicated to him on Victoria Parade, and the house in which the museum is situated was even the inspiration for the cottage of eccentric Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield.
Afterwards you can explore the town with its independent shops, restaurants and seafront pubs.
Why not have a drink at The Tartar Frigate, an 18th century pub located on Harbour Street where you can get a beer and main meals start from £17.
Nothing completes a trip to the beach like an ice cream, and Morelli’s Gelato has been part of Broadstairs since it was opened in 1932, with vintage interiors it’s the perfect place to stop off for a sundae or a dessert, if you fancy something a little different to a conventional Mr Whippy ice cream.
Ramsgate
Finally on our list today is Ramsgate, which is claimed to have one of the “warmest climates” in the UK according to Visit Ramsgate.
This harbour town was once the home of painter Vincent van Gogh, and has the UK’s only Royal Harbour.
Nearby you’ll find a number of attractions to keep you occupied, including the Ramsgate Tunnels, which previously sheltered over 60,000 people during World War II and is known as being the UK’s “largest“l network of wartime tunnels.
If you’re interested in wartime aircraft, you can stop by the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, located on one of the last remaining airfields involved in the Battle of Britain.
Here you’ll find a collection of aircraft objects, along with displays of some of the most famous spitfires that dominated the skies during World War II, including the Spitfire Mk XVI and Hurricane Mk II.
You can also have lunch or afternoon tea at the Grade II listed Victorian Italianate Glasshouse, where you can dine surrounded by plants and gardens.
If you fancy a drink, why not head to the local Wetherspoons at the Royal Victoria Pavilion, which was also named as one of the best in the UK according to visitor reviews.
If you fancy a boat trip, Go2Sea located in the harbour offers a variety of different boat trips, from seal-spotting trips to a trip to Peggywell Bay, with prices starting from £30 a person.
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