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Broadstairs Local GuideBroadstairs Town Crest

Discover Broadstairs: A Seaside Journey Through Time and Tradition

Broadstairs is a charming seaside town on the Kent coast. Known as the Jewel in Thanet’s crown.

Population 26,000
Area 3.10 sq mi

Broadstairs offers a delightful mix of golden sandy beaches and clear waters, picturesque clifftop walks, and a rich history. Whether you’re exploring the quaint Victorian streets, enjoying the local eateries, or soaking up the sun at Viking Bay, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with its connections to Charles Dickens, you might even feel a touch of literary magic in the air. Come and discover the timeless charm of Broadstairs!

There's a timeless, nostalgic, feel to strolling long Fort Road and the Promenade, around Harbour Street and The Pavilion Sands and Garden Bars area next to Viking Bay, and along Victoria Parade across to Victoria Gardens where you'll find a bandstand and clock tower with views out to sea.

The town was initially called Bradstowe (sometimes spelt 'Bradstow'). The name evolved into Broadstairs because of the broad "Chapel Stairs" that once led up from the beach to St Mary's Chapel.

Broadstairs hosts several vibrant annual events and festivals that draw both locals and visitors. Highlights include Broadstairs Blues Bash (February), Broadstairs Dickens Festival (June), Broadstairs Water Gala (July), Broadstairs Folk Week (August), and Broadstairs Food Festival (twice a year, in spring and autumn).

Local Train Station

Broadstairs's Local Beaches

Wednesday, 14th October 2026

9 am
14°C
Feels like 14°C
Current Weather
Cloudy
Day High 14°C
Wind Max 16 mph
A view from the south of Viking Bay, the jetty to the north-east and Bleak House on the cliff top.

Viking Bay Beach

Broadstairs
Beach
Louisa Bay Beach

Louisa Bay Beach

Broadstairs
Beach
Beach Huts either side of Dumpton Gap and chalk cliffs surrounding the beach.

Dumpton Gap Beach

Broadstairs
Beach
Stone Bay Beach

Stone Bay Beach

Broadstairs
Beach
The wide Joss Bay, looking north towards Castle View Apartments up on the chalk-cliff top. To the left, at the back of the beach, is Joss Bay Cafe and the Lifesavers hut.

Joss Bay Beach

Broadstairs
Beach
The sea arch and tall chalk cliffs at Kingsgate Bay, an off-shore wind-farm in the distance.

Kingsgate Bay Beach

Broadstairs
Beach
A view of the chalk stacks with the full length of Botany Bay Beach towards the north-west.

Botany Bay Beach

Broadstairs
Beach

Sea Conditions

9 am - 10 am
Tide direction
Water temp 18°C

Smooth seas
Tide
Time
Height
High
4.62 m
Low
0.87 m

Local Attractions and Places to Visit in Broadstairs

The white with black trim front of Dickens House Museum with a full-span balcony and a Victorian tiled garden Path. The many planted flowers include Roses, Lavender and Helichrysum.

Dickens House Museum

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
Museum
The beach huts of Pavilion Sands and Garden Bars, as accessed from Viking Bay Beach.

The Pavilion Sands and Garden Bars

Open –
Broadstairs
Attraction

Thanet Open Top Bus

Closed Wed
Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate
Attraction

Westwood Cross Shopping Centre

Open –
Broadstairs
Attraction

Crampton Tower Museum

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
Museum

Broadstairs Visitor Information Kiosk

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
Attraction

New Kent Art Gallery & Studio

Open –
Broadstairs
Gallery

Broadstairs Gallery

Open –
Broadstairs
Gallery

Kent Coast Gallery

Open –
Broadstairs
Gallery

Kent Talents Arts Centre

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
Gallery

Smuggling Museum

Open –
Broadstairs
Museum

Popular Local Places of Interest and Things to See in Broadstairs

Broadstairs Clock Tower

Broadstairs Clock Tower

Broadstairs
Landmark
North Foreland Lighthouse as seen from the top of North Foreland Hill. The wires are radio antennae.

North Foreland Lighthouse

Open –
Broadstairs
Lighthouse
View from Route 15 National Cycle path of Neptune's Tower with the sea behind.

Neptune's Tower

Broadstairs
Landmark
A view of Broadstairs Bandstand from Victoria Parade, looking south-east. Also pictured is the Bandstand Cafe, the sea is in the distance

Broadstairs Bandstand

Broadstairs
Landmark
Bleak House

Bleak House

Broadstairs
Landmark
Victoria Gardens

Victoria Gardens

Broadstairs
Park
Kingsgate Castle on top of the chalk-cliffs, viewed across Kingsgate Bay Beach looking south-east.

Kingsgate Castle

Broadstairs
Landmark
Viking Bay Tidal Pool

Viking Bay Tidal Pool

Broadstairs
Landmark
Broadstairs Millennium Milepost

Broadstairs Millennium MilepostAndrew Rowe

Broadstairs
Milepost
Countess Tower

Countess Tower

Broadstairs
Landmark

Oliver PostgateAnimator and Author

Broadstairs
Blue Plaque

St Peter's Park

Broadstairs
Park

Charles DickensMarble Plaque

Broadstairs
Plaque

St Peter's Recreation Ground

Broadstairs
Park

Our Lady Star of the Sea Church

Broadstairs
Church

Charles DickensNovelist and Journalist

Broadstairs
Blue Plaque

Edward HeathPrime Minister

Broadstairs
Blue Plaque

Eagle House

Broadstairs
Landmark

Kingsgate Bay Playground

Broadstairs
Park

Charles DickensStone Plaque

Broadstairs
Plaque

York Street Methodist Church

Broadstairs
Church

The Baptist Church

Broadstairs
Church

Pierremont Park

Broadstairs
Park

Memorial Recreation Ground

Broadstairs
Park
Explore all Places of Interest and Things to See in Broadstairs

Popular Local Activities and Things to Do in Broadstairs

Elev8

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

Lillyputt Mini Golf

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

North Foreland Golf Club

Open –
Broadstairs
Sports Club

Vue Cinema

Broadstairs
Cinema

The Palace Cinema

Broadstairs
Cinema

Sarah Thorne Theatre

Broadstairs
Theatre

Thanet Squash Rackets Club

Open –
Broadstairs
Sports Club

Thanet Wanderers RUFC

Broadstairs
Sports Club

Broadstairs Cricket Club

Broadstairs
Sports Club

The Malibu Health Club

Broadstairs
Sports Club

Mecca Bingo

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

Pure Gym

Broadstairs
Sports Club

Hollywood Bowl

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

St Peter's Village Tour

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
Activity

Briary Bikes

Closed Wed
Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate
Activity

Broadstairs & St Peters Bowling Club

Broadstairs
Sports Club

Broadstairs & St Peter's Tennis Club

Open –
Broadstairs
Sports Club

Revolution Skatepark & Climbing

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

Broadstairs Sailing Club

Broadstairs
Sports Club

Broadstairs Skatepark

Broadstairs
Activity

Kent Surf School

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

Grosvenor Casino

Open –
Broadstairs
Activity

Bannatynes Health Club

Open –
Broadstairs
Sports Club
Explore all Activities and Things to Do in Broadstairs

Popular Local Drinks in Broadstairs

Botany Bay Hotel

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

The Charles Dickens

Open –
Broadstairs
££British

Umibo

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Cafe

The Tartar Frigate

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Seafood

Bayside Cafe

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
££ Cafe

Kebbells

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££Seafood

Harpers Bar

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Bar

The Dolphin Broadstairs

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Pub

Bar Ingo

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Mediterranean

Havisham & Cratchit

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Cafe

Reign Bar & Lounge

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Bar

GADDS', The Ramsgate Brewery

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
££ Brewery

Albarino Tapas Restaurant Bar

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Tapas & Mediterranean

Dion's Lounge

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££ Restaurant

Jetty Broadstairs

Open –
Broadstairs
££British

Thai Village Restaurant & Bar

Open –
Broadstairs
££Thai

The Nineteenth Hole

Broadstairs
£££ Pub

Bessie's Tea Parlour

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
££ Cafe

Finxs

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Cafe

No 23 Brunch & Dinner

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Turkish & Burgers

Taddy's Barn

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Cafe

Staple

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
££ Bakery

Halfway House Cafe

Broadstairs
££ Cafe

The Prince Albert

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Pub
Explore all Drinks in Broadstairs

Popular Local Eats in Broadstairs

The Pavilion

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Restaurant

The Tartar Frigate

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Seafood

Zeti

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Turkish & Mediterranean

Kebbells

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££Seafood

Harpers Bar

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Bar

Bar Ingo

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Mediterranean

Captain D’s

Open –
Broadstairs
££Seafood & Chicken

Broadway Tandoori

Open –
Broadstairs
££Indian

Albarino Tapas Restaurant Bar

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Tapas & Mediterranean

Dion's Lounge

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££ Restaurant

Jetty Broadstairs

Open –
Broadstairs
££British

Thai Village Restaurant & Bar

Open –
Broadstairs
££Thai

Amber Palace

Open – & –
Broadstairs
££Indian

Little Wave

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
£££ Deli

Forno Lounge

Open –
Broadstairs
££Mediterranean

The Base Pizzeria

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Pizza

Partenopei

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££Italian

Royal Albion Hotel

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

Best Fish & Chips

Open –
Broadstairs
££Fish & Chips

No 23 Brunch & Dinner

Open –
Broadstairs
£££Turkish & Burgers

Samworth & Mee

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
£££Seafood

Staple

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
££ Bakery

Sardinia

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££Italian

Bonfood

Open –
Broadstairs
££Indian
Explore all Eats in Broadstairs

Local Accommodation in Broadstairs

Botany Bay Hotel

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

Royal Albion Hotel

Open – & –
Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

Travelodge Margate Westwood

Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

The Crown

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Pub

The Canterbury Bell

Open –
Broadstairs
££ Hotel

The Yarrow Hotel

Open –
Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

The Sea Lounge

Closed Wed
Broadstairs
£££ Wine Bar

The Corner Broadstairs

Broadstairs
£££ Bed And Breakfast

Cintra Hotel

Broadstairs
£££ Bed And Breakfast

Belvidere Place

Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

Broadstairs House

Broadstairs
£££ Bed And Breakfast

Rooms at Number One

Broadstairs
£££ Hotel

Botany Seafront Bed and Breakfast

Broadstairs
£££ Bed And Breakfast

Smiths Townhouse

Broadstairs
££ Bed And Breakfast
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