With staycations expected to boom this summer, the popular coastal towns of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate offer a perfect UK escape, inviting visitors to look beyond the busiest beaches and bays for a quieter, more chilled experience.

Home to 19 miles of coastline and 16 spectacular beaches and bays, the true summer opportunity lies in exploring the 'off-the-beaten track' hidden gems beloved by locals. 

For those unable to visit before the main summer season when there is a more relaxed vibe, the following suggestions offer inspiring ways to discover the area's depth.

Relax at Quieter Beaches and Bays

Visitors looking for a quieter beach experience can easily swap the main town bays — Margate Main Sands, Viking Bay in Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Main Sands — for quieter alternatives. These include Walpole Bay in Margate, which features a Grade II listed tidal pool covering four acres, believed to be the largest in the UK. Other options include Stone Bay or Dumpton Gap in Broadstairs, and Western Undercliff in Ramsgate. All of these quieter bays, with the exception of Western Undercliff, have toilet facilities and are excellent for rockpooling.

Scenic coastal views can be enjoyed from the Thanet Open Topper, a wonderful way to get around the isle and to the beaches and bays. 

The Thanet Coast Project is celebrating 20 years of work safeguarding the wildlife and unique coastline features of the Isle of Thanet. Join them on one of their many events, which range from Seashore Safaris and summer beach cleans, to guided walks discovering seaweed and their secrets, and chalk flora and bumblebees.

Beyond the Beach: Walks and Green Spaces

While the coastal walks between the three towns are hugely popular, the promenade walk from Margate towards Westbrook and Westgate, and on to Birchington, offers stunning views and ample opportunities to stop for refreshments. The route is mostly flat promenade, except for a small stretch between Westgate and Birchington where it follows a clifftop path past a popular golf course. 

Delve into Unique Attractions

The area also offers depth beyond the coast with unique, hidden-gem attractions:

• • Monkton Nature Reserve, formed in an old chalk quarry, features nature trails and a sculpture hunt.
  • The award-winning St. Peter's Village Tour allows visitors to meet costumed characters who bring local history to life.
  • Margate Caves is a subterranean curiosity where visitors can venture underground to see wall paintings of an elephant, crocodile and lion.
  • The Micro Museum in offers interactive fun with its collection of vintage computers and games, a perfect retro opportunity to get youngsters off their device and enjoying classic gameplay.
  • Quex House and Gardens, home to the Powell-Cotton Museum showcases a unique collection of natural history and world culture objects, a historic house and seven acres of heritage gardens. Their events range from Bricktacular Adventures and Queer Nature Guided Tours, to Sip and Paint sessions and outdoor theatre.
  • The Crab Museum in Margate is Europe's first and only museum dedicted to the world of the decapods. A satisfyingly baffling experience.

Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate provide a rich variety of experiences to encourage visitors to discover the depth of the area now and during the main summer holidays.

The Isle of Thanet is easily accessible from London's St. Pancras International station via Southeastern Railway's high-speed service, reaching Ramsgate in just 75 minutes, Broadstairs in 80 minutes, and Margate in 90 minutes 

For further information, events and accommodation listings go to visitthanet.co.uk