Serene walk from Margate to Broadstairs (Viking Coastal Trail)
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In January 2022, I went on a walk from Ramsgate to Margate with my family. If you want to read more about it, click here!
The walk from Margate to Broadstairs is around 6 miles (9.7 km) long and is full of beautiful landscapes. It’s a part of the 32 mile (51.4 km) long circular Viking Coastal Trail around the Isle of Thanet, a peninsula at the most easterly point of Kent.
Depending on the tide situation, you get two options: you can either walk on sea level or along the road. I started my journey about an hour and a half after the high tide, so I knew that all parts of the route won’t be underwater. My goal was to walk to Broadstairs on the beach, as the weather was perfect, and go back to Margate on top of the cliffs for a change of scenery.
PRO TIP: Before you decide to go on a walk from Margate to Broadstairs (or the other way round), always check tide times beforehand. Some parts of the route disappear under the water during the high tide, so be mindful of that.
I started my journey at the Oval Cliftonville. The whole route to the Viking Bay in Broadstairs (with a quick pit stop in Tesco) and back turned out to be 9 miles (14.5 km) long according to my Fitbit and took me 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Margate
If you want to make the most out of the walk, I would recommend you to start on the Margate Main Sands
There are many things nearby that are worth seeing if you’re a tourist. The oldest-surviving amusement park in Great Britain, Dreamland, is located opposite to the Main Sands. You can also find Jubilee Clock Tower, Harbour Arm and the Turner Contemporary nearby.
FUN FACT: Margate Lighthouse and Turner Contemporary are featured on the £20 note.
When you turn right and walk by the art gallery, you’ll be able to spot a statue that’s poking its head above the water far away from the promenade. The sculpture is a part of a bigger project called “Another Time” made by Antony Gormley. It’s a series of one hundred sculptures dispersed all over the world, identical to the one hundred statues of another art installation, “Another Place”.
RELATED ARTICLE: Read more about “Another Place” by Antony Gormley here.
Soon you’ll also find the Lido, once a vibrant part of the town and a popular swimming pool, now filled with sand and decaying.
When you walk past the Lido, you’ll feel you’ve entered a new, much quieter and calmer place. Crowds and all the noise are being swapped for cliffs and the sea. You can choose to walk either on the promenade or on the sandy beach.
You’ll find many small, hidden beaches on your way. They’re usually deserted, as people prefer to go to the Main Sands or Botany Bay beach. Tourists may not even know about their existence.
Arriving at Palm Bay
As you pass by the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool and turn right along the cliffs, you arrive at Palm Bay, home to the water skiing club and popular launch spot for jet skis. On my way here, I made friends with these two beautiful creatures. You can meet them very often in the area!
If you fancy a quick break, Jet Ski World and Palm Bay Cafe are located nearby. Nothing beats having lunch on a beach, surrounded by white chalk cliffs with a spectacular sea view. Botany Bay beach is one of a few beaches in Thanet where you can find beautiful seashells.
When you’re ready, head over toward Broadstairs and discover more quiet sandy beach coves.
Entering Broadstairs
Botany Bay lies between Margate and Broadstairs. This hidden gem is a popular film location and the northernmost bay in Broadstairs.
FUN FACT: Some clips from Shawn Mendes’ “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” were filmed in Botany Bay.
You can find there a beautiful sandy beach, a cafe, white chalk cliffs and chalk stacks.
It looks similar to Palm Bay but better! On the east end of the beach, you can find the Kingsgate Arch. It’s not recommended to walk under the Arch because it’s fragile and chalk might fall down. When you look through it, you can see a beautiful Kingsgate Castle in the distance.
The Kingsgate Arch is on the boundary of Botany Bay and Kingsgate Bay, another secluded sandy cove. Be careful, because beach has its ends cut off at high tide. Always remember to check tide times.
Soon, the sandy beach changes into a slippery and rocky terrain.
RELATED ARTICLE:
⪼ Walk from Ramsgate to Margate – Viking Coastal Trail
⪼ Things to do in Thanet – the ultimate guide to top 21 attractions in Thanet
Broadstairs Town Centre
Continuing your walk past all the bays and coves of Broadstairs, you’ve reached the Viking Bay. Have a look around, admire the beautiful beach, historic buildings, narrow lanes, small but pretty cafes… This town is charming.
Walking back from Broadstairs to Margate
Now, you have two choices – walk or take a bus (or train) back. Without a hesitation I made my way to the cliff tops and started walking back home.
I tried to stay as close to the edge of the cliffs as possible, and to my satisfaction, it was possible most of the time. I got to see hidden, beautiful houses in Broadstairs, the lighthouse, as well as the entrance to Kingsgate Castle.
I also found a folly nearby. I’m really curious what was it used for back in a day.
When I entered Margate, I was so tired (!) but happy. Beautiful sunset over the sea was very rewarding. Walk from Broadstairs to Margate was different and abundant in picturesque scenery.
Summary on Margate to Broadstairs walk
| Start | Margate – anywhere you’d like to! I’d recommend starting at the Margate Main Sands. |
| Finish | Broadstairs |
| Distance | 6 miles (9.7 km) Distance depends on your start and finish points. |
| Time | 1.5 – 2 hours |
| How to get to, and from, Thanet | The easiest way to get to Margate (or Broadstairs) from London is by getting a direct train from St Pancras International. Journey takes around 1.5 hour. If you’re travelling locally, there are also direct trains and buses from Herne Bay, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and other towns. There are a few bus services that connect Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, with the Loop being the most convenient. |
| Recommended tide times app | Tide times (iOS/Android) |
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