A Kent beach with a castle and views of the French coast has been named as one of the best in the UK – and it’s just 90 minutes by car from south east London.

The Times recently released its list of top 50 beaches to visit in the UK and Sandgate on the east Kent coast made the list.

The beach, just a short way from the nearby town of Folkestone, was featured on account of its shingle beach and views of the Cap Gris-Nez in France visible from the beach.

The beach was featured on account of its shingle beach and views of the Cap Gris-Nez in France.The beach was featured on account of its shingle beach and views of the Cap Gris-Nez in France. (Image: Folkestone and Hythe District Council)

This quiet, shingle beach is tucked away between the busy Kent towns of Hythe and Folkestone with their array of local attractions, whilst offering a quiet spot for anyone looking for one of Kent’s more peaceful beaches.

Sandgate also has a long and interesting history from its links with smugglers to when it was used by Henry VIII, when he built Sandgate Castle between 1539 and 1540 as a coastal fort to safeguard the Kent coast.

Today you can still see what remains of the castle over its 480-year history from when it was first built.

Sandgate also has a long and interesting history from its links with smugglers to when it was used by Henry VIII.Sandgate also has a long and interesting history from its links with smugglers to when it was used by Henry VIII. (Image: Folkestone and Hythe District Council)

Reviewers on TripAdvisor praised the beach, rating it over its cleanliness and as a great place to “feel relaxed.”

One reviewer wrote “Is this another country?” in a five-star review and overall the beach has received a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor from people who visited.

The cleanliness of the beach was also praised on a national level, when Sandgate beach was named as one of the UK’s best beaches by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in 2023 for the tenth year running.

Sandgate beach was named as one of the UK’s best beaches by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in 2023 for the tenth year running.Reviewers on TripAdvisor praised the beach, rating it over its cleanliness and as a great place to “feel relaxed.” (Image: Folkestone and Hythe District Council)

A short drive from Sandgate you’ll be in the larger seaside town of Folkestone, best known for its tropical looking beaches, preserved heritage railway station and seaside walks.

The town is also a good spot for food with a plethora of eateries, coffee shops and a food market all vying for your attention.