Minster Leas // Minster-on-Sea Unlike its bigger cousins in Leysdown and Sheerness , the Minster Leas on the Isle of Sheppey is a much quieter , more relaxing kind of place . There is a small café selling ice creams and hot and cold drinks , as well as some pubs where the food is as good as the view . When the tide is out you might even be able to spot the SS Montgomery – a ship that sunk during World War II – poking out of the sea , and on a clear day you can spot the amusements in Southend .
Dymchurch Beach // Dymchurch Dymchurch Beach is a mixture of sand and shingle that sweeps across the coastline and offers a great deal of seaside charm . The beach – a Blue Flag award winner – runs from Dungeness to Hythe , and its wide expanse is popular with everyone from kite surfers to sand castle builders . Dymchurch itself has an amusement park as well as cafés and a comfortable pub , so you can spend the whole day here ( perhaps with a trip on the Romney , Hythe and Dymchurch Railway too ).
Deal Beach // Deal Dean is a long , pebbly beach with a pier that dates back to the 1950s ( the pier itself is where you can find a great little café as well as fishing decks if that ’ s your thing ). Although perhaps not the best spot for sunbathing due to the stones , it is a gorgeous place to go for a stroll . At one end lies the fabulous Deal Castle ( cared for by English Heritage ) and at the other you ’ ll find Walmer Castle ( another English Heritage property ). In between you can spot drawn up fishing boats resting quietly , and of course , skimming stones always has a certain appeal .
Sandwich Bay // Sandwich Sandwich Bay is a long beach and a sandy one too , and if it ’ s just beach you want , this is the spot to go to as the amenities are a little further away . That does mean that you can often find a nice , private spot even on the sunniest of summer days , and for some that is exactly what they are looking for . For added bonus adventures there is the Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve that backs onto the beach , but watch out for the north end of the beach since this is often used by naturists .
Minnis Bay // Birchington Minnis Bay is a secluded little place that offers separate areas for those who want to swim and those who prefer to try their hand at water sports . Children are well catered for with a play area and lots of sand for running about on . There is a lifeguard on duty during busy periods and if you want to step away from the beach for a moment , the coastal cycle and walking routes make for a nice change .
Sunny Sands // Folkestone You can already get a pretty good idea of how enjoyable this Folkestone beach can be thanks to its name , but add to this delightful description Folkestone ’ s plethora of shops , cafés , pubs and restaurants – and of course the happenin ’ Harbour Arm – and you ’ ve got the ideal day out . This beach is well known for being one of the best around to make sandcastles on ( there is even an annual sandcastle competition ), and since it is one of the closest sandy beaches to London , it does get busy so if you want to bag a good spot , you ’ ll want to get there early .
Minster Leas
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