Katy's Guidebook
Beaches
Viking Bay is a lovely sheltered beach surrounded by great bars, pubs restaurants and cafes. Grab a takeaway coffee or craft beer from the Funicular cafe at the back of the beach.
83 locals recommend
Viking Bay
Viking Bay is a lovely sheltered beach surrounded by great bars, pubs restaurants and cafes. Grab a takeaway coffee or craft beer from the Funicular cafe at the back of the beach.
Stone Bay - or ladder beach as we have nicknamed it - you’ll see when you get there - is a 5-6 minute walk round the coast from Viking Bay. Great for swimming, surfing and SUP.
24 locals recommend
Stone Bay
Stone Bay - or ladder beach as we have nicknamed it - you’ll see when you get there - is a 5-6 minute walk round the coast from Viking Bay. Great for swimming, surfing and SUP.
Joss Bay is next to Stone Bay and about a 40 minute walk from the house. It’s home to the Joss Bay Surf School with a lovely stretch of golden sand.
92 locals recommend
Joss Bay
Joss Gap RoadJoss Bay is next to Stone Bay and about a 40 minute walk from the house. It’s home to the Joss Bay Surf School with a lovely stretch of golden sand.
Food scene
Great friendly service, beautifully cooked local, seasonal produce and good bread and wine. Want more could you want?
26 locals recommend
Samworth & Mee
11 Albion StGreat friendly service, beautifully cooked local, seasonal produce and good bread and wine. Want more could you want?
Smiths Coffee Shop
8 Dundonald RdGreat coffee and early evening cocktails
Historic pub in the seafront at Viking Bay. If it’s sunny, order your drinks to takeaway and sit on the harbour pier. Or if the weather’s rubbish, sit in the cosy bar. There’s also a seafood restaurant upstairs.
38 locals recommend
The Tartar Frigate Bar
Harbour StreetHistoric pub in the seafront at Viking Bay. If it’s sunny, order your drinks to takeaway and sit on the harbour pier. Or if the weather’s rubbish, sit in the cosy bar. There’s also a seafood restaurant upstairs.
Posillipo Pizzeria
14 Albion StFamily friendly Italian restaurant with great pizza and pasta
Sicilian menu, fantastic service and always lots of interesting specials on the menu. And less than a 5 minute walk from Broadstairs by the Bay.
24 locals recommend
The Little Sicilian
45 York StSicilian menu, fantastic service and always lots of interesting specials on the menu. And less than a 5 minute walk from Broadstairs by the Bay.
Kebbells Seafood Bar • Restaurant
8 Victoria ParadeInventive seafood in a warm buzzy atmosphere.
The best spot for morning coffee and a pastry or lunch or a cocktail. Literally on the beach at Viking Bay. Look out for the A board on Victoria Parade and follow the steps down the beach.
16 locals recommend
The Funicular Coffee House
The best spot for morning coffee and a pastry or lunch or a cocktail. Literally on the beach at Viking Bay. Look out for the A board on Victoria Parade and follow the steps down the beach.
Great coffee and the best cheese toastie ever. Eat in or take your treats to the beach.
Forts Broadstairs
1 Chandos RoadGreat coffee and the best cheese toastie ever. Eat in or take your treats to the beach.
The best roasts, amazing fish and great vegan and veggie options in a gorgeous bistro with great service and a sea view. Perfect, really.
Jetty Broadstairs
The best roasts, amazing fish and great vegan and veggie options in a gorgeous bistro with great service and a sea view. Perfect, really.
Sightseeing
A cultural and artistic hub, Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary gallery and features local artists. Have a wander around the many independent shops, bars and restaurants then enjoy sundowners on Margate beach. Margate is only 10 minutes away by car or train. The train station is 5 minutes walk and after 5 minutes on the train, you’ll land at Margate station right on the seafront.
160 locals recommend
UpMargate
20 The CentreA cultural and artistic hub, Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary gallery and features local artists. Have a wander around the many independent shops, bars and restaurants then enjoy sundowners on Margate beach. Margate is only 10 minutes away by car or train. The train station is 5 minutes walk and after 5 minutes on the train, you’ll land at Margate station right on the seafront.
Ramsgate is a great place to spend a day. Check the tide times and if the tide’s out you can walk for 40 mins along the beach from Viking Bay through Dumpton Gap to Ramsgate. Check out the boats in the marina, stop for lunch on the sunny roof terrace at Royal Harbour Brasserie and mooch round the junk shops under the archways or in Addington Street, the oldhigh street.
89 locals recommend
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a great place to spend a day. Check the tide times and if the tide’s out you can walk for 40 mins along the beach from Viking Bay through Dumpton Gap to Ramsgate. Check out the boats in the marina, stop for lunch on the sunny roof terrace at Royal Harbour Brasserie and mooch round the junk shops under the archways or in Addington Street, the oldhigh street.
Rainy days
Things to do
Guided tours of the subterranean tunnel system used to shelter 60,000 people during WWII air raids
80 locals recommend
Ramsgate Tunnels
Marina Esplanade
Guided tours of the subterranean tunnel system used to shelter 60,000 people during WWII air raids
The Caves were originally dug as a chalk quarry in the 17th and 18th centuries and are 94.2m long and 12.2m tall at the highest point.
72 locals recommend
Margate Caves
1 Northdown RdThe Caves were originally dug as a chalk quarry in the 17th and 18th centuries and are 94.2m long and 12.2m tall at the highest point.
Turner Contemporary is one of the UK’s leading art galleries. Founded to celebrate JMW Turner’s connection to Margate in 2001, the David Chipperfield designed gallery opened in 2011. Its has free exhibitions, a cafe and shop.
352 locals recommend
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousTurner Contemporary is one of the UK’s leading art galleries. Founded to celebrate JMW Turner’s connection to Margate in 2001, the David Chipperfield designed gallery opened in 2011. Its has free exhibitions, a cafe and shop.
Compact and bijou cinema in Broadstairs perfect for rainy days or date nights
29 locals recommend
The Palace Cinema
Harbour StreetCompact and bijou cinema in Broadstairs perfect for rainy days or date nights
Lovely indie cinema in Westgate on Sea. Combine with a trip to Millie’s cafe on the beach or destination restaurant Quince.
31 locals recommend
Carlton Cinema
29 St. Mildreds RdLovely indie cinema in Westgate on Sea. Combine with a trip to Millie’s cafe on the beach or destination restaurant Quince.