27 Jul 2016
Five reasons to visit Broadstairs this summer
Holidaymakers have been coming to Broadstairs for generations, in fact it was the favourite holiday destination for Charles Dickens, who described it as 'the freshest, freest place'. Broadstairs has retained its timeless seaside charm, yet evolved to remain relevant for today's discerning visitors. Here are five reasons why you should visit this year.
Seven beautiful beaches and bays - one for each day of the week. Three have Blue Flag Awards and one has a Seaside Award. The main resort bay is horse-shoe shaped Viking Bay, which is close to the town, has excellent facilities, a small working harbor and clifftop promenade. There are quieter bays such as Botany Bay with its stunning chalk stacks and Kingsgate Bay with its chalk arch, for those who want to get away from it all. For those who prefer to be active, Joss Bay and Viking Bay, which are the closest surfing beaches to London, both have surf schools and offer Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) lessons. New for 2016 are SUP tours from Joss Bay to Botany Bay – www.jossbay.co.uk. The remaining bays are Dumpton Gap, Stone Bay and Louisa Bay – all great beaches for rockpooling. www.visitthanet.co.uk/beaches-bays.
A packed diary of events and festivals – ensuring there is always something to plan a visit around. Next on the calendar is Folk Week (5-12 August), which attracts musicians and folk enthusiasts from around the world. New for 2016 is a 'Night Owl' wristband ticket for all eight late nights at the Pavilion-on-the-Sands, a bargain at £45 – www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk. The Wheels and Fins Festival (9-11 September ) takes place at Joss Bay and offers skateboard and surfing competitions, a soap box derby, beach volleyball tournament, live music and a beer tent – www.wheelsandfins.co.uk. Broadstairs Food Festival (30 September to 2 October) is a must for visiting foodies and a celebration of local produce and the best the Garden of England has to offer, all with the stunning backdrop of beautiful Viking Bay – www.broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk. Add to these yoga on the beach, free guided town walks and bandstand entertainment throughout the summer and you have a great, value for money, break – www.visitthanet.co.uk/whats-on
Exciting eateries and new drinks venues – with food and drink in mind, Broadstairs has numerous independent cafes, bistros and restaurants welcoming guests throughout the year. Award winning Wyatt & Jones, which puts local produce at the heart of its cuisine, is a popular choice, alongside, of course, the resort's classic ice-cream parlours Morelli's and Chiappini's. Two refreshing, recent additions to the drink offering include 'Mind the Gap' a micro-pub serving real ales, ciders and wines and Houdini's Magic Bar, a place to unwind and be entertained, a little bit quirky and very magical. Further information on food and drink venues in Broadstairs can be found on www.visitthanet.co.uk/things-to-do/eating-and-drinking
Discover hidden gems – whilst Broadstairs has been a popular destination for visitors for many years, it has a mix of attractions, some lesser-known, that really are worth a visit. St. Peter's Village tour has won awards, yet people are still surprised by how engaging and fun a small group of volunteers have made a guided costumed walk around the town. They also do Churchyard, WWI and WWII themed tours – www.villagetour.org. Crampton Tower Museum celebrates the inventiveness of the Victorian engineer Thomas Crampton and his work in the development of the railways and communication – he laid the first successful cable for a submarine telegraph between Dover and Calais. This August sees the 200th anniversary of Thomas Crampton's birth (6 August), being celebrated with a concert featuring the Medway Brass Band – www.cramptontower.co.uk. Charles Dickens' connections to the town can be discovered at Dickens House Museum (www.dickensmuseumbroadstairs.co.uk) and Bleak House (www.bleakhousebroadstairs.co.uk). There is also a new Open Top Bus service from Broadstairs to Ramsgate and return running until 4 September - www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/thanet-open-top
A unique, new place to stay – The Yarrow Hotel, which is the first hotel in the UK to be owned and run by a further education provider, East Kent College.
The Yarrow Hotel is a Grade II Listed building named after shipbuilding magnate Sir Alfred Yarrow, who built it in 1894. A multi-million pound make-over has seen the building transformed from a lecturing space into a luxury, boutique hotel with 23 bedrooms, five suites, a 64 cover restaurant, 120 person event space and a salon and spa which offers a range of rejuvenating treatments.
Top students from the college's hospitality, catering and hair and beauty area will get the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders to hone their skills and gain valuable commercial experience. This includes award winning head chef Ben Williams, who has worked at a range of exceptional restaurants, including two with Michelin Stars and hotel manager Andrea Whigham, who most recently worked as general manager at Birmingham's four-star Hotel Indigo.
Every customer will receive the finest experience possible with high quality service delivered by a professional and passionate team.
Further accommodation in Broadstairs, including hotels, quality B&Bs and self-catering venues can be found on
www.visitthanet.co.uk/plan-your-visit-introduction/places-to-stay
ENDS
Press enquiries:
Please contact Julie Edwards, Thanet Tourism on 01843 577671 or Julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk
Press contact for Yarrow Hotel – Jamie Weir on 01843 605010, 07464 926241 or Jamie.weir@eastkent.ac.uk
Thanet Tourism can also assist with digital images, reader competitions and bespoke press trip itineraries, including accommodation and tours, for journalists with a commission.
