Lady’s 13 Best Things to Do in Broadstairs, England

Today I want to share my guide to the best things to do in Broadstairs, England with you. This seaside town on the Isle of Thanet in Kent has everything from sandy beaches to coastal charm. It’s a fun place to spend a day or a weekend soaking up the sun and indulging in the best the waterfront has to offer.

Broadstairs, England

Located between Margate and Ramsgate, Broadstairs is known as the “jewel in Thanet’s crown”.

This seaside resort town has a wealth of chalk cliffs, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy. I’m going to show you the best of them.

How to Get to Broadstairs

It’s easy to get to Broadstairs from London and other parts of southern England. There are direct train services from the UK capital. The journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes if you take a fast train.

You can also drive to Broadstairs. The trip takes around 2 hours from London, depending where you leave from.

Things to Do in Broadstairs

Once you’ve arrived in town, you’ll find lots of things to do in Broadstairs. Whether you want to eat, drink, shop, or walk along the beach, there’s something to suit your mood.

1. Go to the Beach in Broadstairs

Given it’s on the coast, one of the best things to do in Broadstairs is go to the beach. Viking Bay beach is right in the heart of town, and it’s the main place to go for sun and sand. It has everything from colorful beach huts to sailboats galore.

But it’s not the only one. To the north of Viking Bay lie St. Mary’s Bay Beach, Stone Bay, Joss Bay, and Botany Bay. These beaches are known for everything from chalk cliffs to wide stretches of sand.

To the south of Viking Bay, Louisa Bay and Dumpton Gap offer more sandy beaches backed by cliffs. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the waterfront in this part of Kent.

2. Eat Fish and Chips

Another of the best things to do in Broadstairs is eat fish and chips. This classic seaside treat can be found at a number of places in town, but my favorite is the Fish & Chips Co.

Located right on the beach in Viking Bay, this hole-in-the-wall chippy serves fresh seafood and fries throughout the day. It’s fun to get a box and eat on the sand on a sunny afternoon.

3. Go Shopping in Broadstairs

Next on my list of things to do in Broadstairs is go shopping. There are lots of shops and art galleries in town, and no trip would be complete without popping into a few of them.

Broadstairs art galleries abound on Albion Street and Harbour Street. They have everything from paintings to souvenirs for sale.

When it comes to other things, shops like Arrowsmiths, Home by SP, and Kope + Loko are great for clothing and home decor. The Bottleneck is a fun place to pick up English drinks from Kentish producers, too.

4. Walk on the Waterfront

Another of the best things to do in Broadstairs is walk along the waterfront. The cliffs above the beaches make great vantage points for seeing the sand.

The Parade and Victoria Parade are great places to take in the views over Viking Bay, and the Eastern Esplanade and Western Esplanade offer vistas of the bays around them.

5. Get Ice Cream in Broadstairs

If you have a sweet tooth, one of the most fun things to do in Broadstairs is get ice cream. There are plenty of ice cream shops around, but the most famous is Morelli’s Gelato.

This landmark establishment has been making its own ice cream since 1907, and its iconic ice cream parlor opened on Victoria Parade in 1932. The vintage interiors and signage are reminiscent of a bygone era, and the ice cream is delicious.

6. Walk the Broadstairs Town Trail

If you need to work off some calories, one of the best things to do in Broadstairs is walk the town trail.

This self-guided walk features 10 illustrated boards offering insights into the town’s history, notable people (think Charles Dickens and Queen Victoria), and architecture.

You can pick up trail leaflets from the Visitor Information kiosk in Broadstairs, or download the map online.

Highlights of the Broadstairs Town Trail include the Dickens House Museum, Palace Cinema, St Mary’s Chapel, Pierremont Hall, The Jubilee Clock Tower, and other Broadstairs attractions.

7. Explore the Parks and Gardens

Another fun thing do to in Broadstairs is explore the parks and gardens.

Victoria Gardens is a big green space above Viking Bay. Opened in 1892 by Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Victoria, the gardens have everything from manicured hedges to the town’s bandstand.

They’re also home to a clock tower that was rebuilt in the 1970s to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

The Victoria Gardens offer great views of the beaches below, too.

Other parks and gardens in town include Pierremont Park and Balmoral Gardens. The former surrounds Pierremont Hall, where Queen Victoria stayed as an 8-year-old princess in 1827. It’s one of the most unique places to visit in Broadstairs.

8. Take in the Charles Dickens History

If you love literature, one of the best things to do in Broadstairs is take in the town’s Charles Dickens history. The writer loved Broadstairs, and he spent a lot of time here.

Today visitors can admire the castle-like form of Bleak House on the hill above Viking Bay. Dickens stayed here in the 1850s and ’60s, and he’s said to have written parts of his famous novels inside.

Elsewhere in town, you can go to the Charles Dickens Museum in Broadstairs. It’s set in the former home of Mary Pearson Strong. Dickens based his character Betsy Trotwood on her.

The museum contains some of Dickens’ possessions (including his writing box) and information about his life and time in Broadstairs.

Throughout the town, there are streets named after Dickens and plaques on facades of places he stayed in Broadstairs. This being England, there’s even a Charles Dickens pub. The author is said to have been fond of the gin there.

9. Walk or Cycle the Viking Coastal Trail

Another of the best things to do in Broadstairs is walk or cycle the Viking Coastal Trail. This 32-mile (51.4-kilometer) circular route on the Isle of Thanet goes past places like Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and local landmarks.

Getting out on the Viking Coastal Trail in Broadstairs is a great way to see the area and take in some of the stunning seaside scenery this part of Kent is known for. It’s one of the best coastal walks near London.

10. Get a Drink in Broadstairs

When you need a rest, one of the top things to do in Broadstairs is get a drink. Whether you want a coffee or a pint, there are plenty of places in town where you can get your fix.

On the caffeinated end of the spectrum, coffee shops like Namaka serve great coffee in stylish surroundings.

If you want something stronger, there are lots of fun pubs and bars in Broadstairs. From the aforementioned Charles Dickens pub to The Chapel, a unique chapel-turned-bookstore-turned-bar, there’s no shortage of places to go.

11. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Broadstairs

If you want to enjoy something other than fish and chips, there are great restaurants in Broadstairs.

My favorite is Wyatt and Jones. This small-plates restaurant near the beach has a seafood focus and intimate atmosphere in its split-level dining room.

Other favorites include The Old Bakehouse, a bakery that serves light lunches and pastries in historic surroundings.

12. Do the Turner and Dickens Walk

Back to walking, another of the best things to do in Broadstairs is the Turner and Dickens Walk to Margate. This 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) inland walk is a great alternative to the Viking Coastal Trail.

It will take you from Broadstairs to Margate with a focus on artist J. M. W. Turner and author Charles Dickens.

Along the way you’ll see everything from Norman churches to the Crampton Tower Museum, which is dedicated to engineer Thomas Russell Crampton. You can find maps of the walk online.

13. Stay the Night

There’s so much to do in Broadstairs that it’s worth staying a night. I stayed at The Bay Tree Hotel in Broadstairs, and I loved it.

My sea-view room was even nicer that it looked on the website, and the hotel was in a great location right on the waterfront. You can book a room here.

Things to Do in Broadstairs

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to things to do in Broadstairs. This part of Kent is worth a special trip, and I’m sure you’ll like it as much as I do when you go.

If you want more inspiration for seaside fun, take a look at my blog posts about the best places to go to the seaside near London, beach day trips from London, and seaside day trips from London. Happy travels!

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