insideKENT Magazine Issue 52 - July 2016 | Page 120

DAYSOUT
KENT’S BEST BEACHES cont
MARGATE MAIN SANDS, Margate

VIKING BAY, Broadstairs

Margate is a fantastic seaside town, and the epitome of the great British
summer holiday with its quirky gift shops, fantastic restaurants, fresh fish
stalls and promenade stores selling buckets and spades and beach balls.
The beach itself – Margate Main Sands – is a wide, sweeping sandy bay
that is popular but that never feels too busy thanks to its generous size.
The beach has a tidal pool that offers wonderful opportunities to paddle
and swim, and, unlike many beaches, when the tide is in there is still plenty
of sand left to play in and on.

Viking Bay is one of the (many) things that Thanet’s Broadstairs is famous
for. In fact, this is where Charles Dickens himself used to spend his holidays,
and he wrote an essay on it called “Our English Watering Place” in which
he explained why it was such a perfect place. To be fair, Dickens didn’t
really have to write it down (although we’re glad he did, as it’s a lovely piece
of writing); Viking Bay’s plus points speak for themselves. This long sandy
bay has both a vintage boardwalk and a cliff-top promenade as well as a
family-friendly tidal pool and children’s rides to try out.

Just a short stroll down the sands is a children’s fairground with many rides
to play on, as well as a number of amusement arcades for when it’s time
to get out of the sun. Walking in the opposite direction will take you to
Turner Contemporary, the world-renowned art gallery.

Viking Bay also has a surf school through which you can book (from March
until October) to learn how to surf, ski, and use belly boards. For those who
prefer to enjoy their beaches from a stationary position, there are deckchairs
and loungers available for hire.

Amenities at Margate Main Sands include a beach shop, deckchair hire,
sun lounger hire, toilets, seasonal lifeguards, disabled access, beach
wheelchairs, information about the bay and a first aid point.

There is plenty of nearby parking, toilets and a number of different options
for food including various cafés and bars, so you really can spend all day
out on the sand and go home feeling happy and with some great seaside
memories.

Sat nav: CT9 1XJ
Sat nav: CT10 1NB

Margate Main Sands

Viking Bay

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