Looking for things to do in Ramsgate and Broadstairs with kids? Although these Kent seaside towns are notoriously known for their beaches, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are perfectly set up to experience a day on the beach without actually going on the beach. Discover these beachy things to do in Ramsgate and Broadstairs without ever getting sand between your toes or a swim in Viking Bay – if you want.
In this post, you’ll find maps to make it easy to find things to do in Ramsgate, along with what to do in Broadstairs with kids. This post is meant to inspire you to visit the Kent coast of England responsibly – even if it’s only for a few hours.
Table of Contents
Getting To Broadstairs & Ramsgate Kent
Start the day trip at Broadstairs and finish in Ramsgate. Although you can easily walk the promenade between the two seaside towns, we chose to drive to Ramsgate for the sake of time and children’s moods.
The journey by car from London is approximately 2.5 hours. About 30 minutes before arriving in Broadstairs from the M299, there is a BP Station. This is a great stopping point for picking up picnic items and using the toilets before arriving at Broadstairs Beach.
For parking in Broadstairs, the train station has few spaces but is far less congested and free on Sundays. Parking further away from Broadstairs Beach also ensures you see the cute shops on High Street.
The Old Bake House in Broadstairs
Where To Park in Broadstairs
For a car park closer to the beach but less likely to be full than Broadstairs Harbour, use Crofts Place CT10 1JT.
The Cliff Promenade Broadstairs To Ramsgate Is Key
Broadstairs Beach and Ramsgate Beach can be seen from above due to the lovely connecting cliff promenade they offer visitors. This makes both seaside towns in Kent perfect for anyone hoping to go to the beach without actually needing to pack a towel.
Don’t get me wrong. I love nothing more than lying on a hot, sunny beach with sand beneath my feet and cocktail in hand (responsibly, of course). But if you’re not quite ready to shimmy up next to other beachgoers while the world recovers from the pandemic, there are more ways to enjoy England seaside towns without actually wearing a suit.
10 Things To Do In Broadstairs With Kids
What makes Broadstairs with kids so special? They can ride their scooters along the Broadstairs cliff promenade and Victoria Parade. Although there are a few steep streets, Broadstairs is an amazing seaside town to take kids where you can enjoy a long coastal walk without fear of kids tiring too quickly.
1 – The High Street Broadstairs
Old candy shops, tea rooms, pubs, and points of establishment that Charles Dickens frequented make this High Street special. Pop down little alleys if you love seeing old English houses.
Lovely Broadstairs Cottages
2 – Broadstairs Beach and Viking Bay
Enjoy the view of Viking Bay, formerly Main Bay, from every angle above Broadstairs Beach.
A reenactment of the Viking Ship that landed in Thanet in 449AD took place in 1949, after which Main Bay was renamed Viking Bay.
Broadstairs Beach
3 – Dickens House Museum
Not to be confused with Charles Dickens’ house (The Bleak House), the Dickens House is the first impressive cottage on the right as you enter the beach promenade from Broadstairs High Street.
The Dickens House Museum was formerly a cottage that he and his father would visit and have tea and cakes with Miss Mary Pearson Strong. She became the inspiration for the character Betsy Trotwood in David Copperfield. Now the house is a museum for people to see as it was for Charles Dickens.
Dickens House Museum
4 – Narrow Broadstairs Streets & Passageways
As you walk along the promenade towards Broadstairs Beach there is a super-narrow section with cute shops, the smallest cinema you’ll ever see, and an archway entrance that seems more fitting for pedestrians than actual cars.
Look around this area at the lovely pubs and the cinema on the right. But be careful entering this passage with kids. Cars will attempt to drive through to the car park at the same time.
Narrow passageway for cars and people to and from Broadstairs Beach
5 – Broadstairs Beach Huts
Admittedly, the only time I went on the beach was for a close-up of the colorful beach huts.
There is a fish and chips stand just to the right (in proper cardboard boxes), an ice cream shop, and toilets. I took advantage of the photo opp while the kids were waiting in line – otherwise, these huts are easily viewable from nearly every direction.
Broadstairs Beach Huts
6 – The Bleak House
The Bleak House, also known as the Fort House, is the large fort-like house overlooking Viking Bay and North Foreland. It’s where Charles Dickens spent summer holidays and is said to be the house referred to in his 1853 novel, Bleak House. Nevertheless, it was the residence of a captain of one of two coastal forts guarding Broadstairs.
The Bleak House
7 – Stone Bay
Choose the high chalk cliffs or the promenade to walk towards Stone Bay beach from Broadstairs. The beach at Stone Bay is less busy than Broadstairs so might be a preferred choice if you’re seeking to put your feet in the sand.
There are entry points into the water from the promenade for a quick toe dip. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful walk to see the cliffs and enjoy the seaside views.
If you love the Cliffs of Dover, then the Stone Bay walk is one you simply can’t miss. Turn back around to head towards Broadstairs once you have your fill.
Stone Bay, just north of Broadstairs Beach
8 – Clock Tower Broadstairs
The Clock Tower Broadstairs is on the West Cliff Promenade overlooking Viking Bay. It is a replacement clock tower built in 1977 to mark the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The original burned down in the 1970s but was originally built for Queen Victoria’s 1897 Diamond Jubilee.
As you can see, this expat family chose their signature flamingo move to mark the occasion of their first visit to Broadstairs.
Clock Tower Broadstairs
9 – Broadstairs Shops
As you make your way back to the car park, pop into cute seaside shops for the kids to find a fun Broadstairs souvenir.
Even if some shops in Broadstairs are closed, you can take note of the quintessentially British seaside huts for sale at Suzanne’s Gift Shop and even unique gifts like copper match holders from The Fireplace Company.
Broadstairs shops offer seaside and unique gifts like this copper match holder
10 – The Old Curiosity Shop
Located at 9 Harbour Street, this Grade II Listed building which dates back to 1588 was formerly known to be associated with smuggling. Named after Charles Dickens’ novel, it now serves cafe items and other seaside essentials for its patrons. The anchors perched outside the building are curious indeed.
Unique cafe in Broadstairs named after Charles Dickens novel
Map For Broadstairs With Kids
Once through the High Street and Victoria Parade, walk cliffside to the east and take the stairs to the beach level to experience both views. Then reverse direction back up to Victoria Parade to the West Cliff Promenade. You can go as far or as long as you like creating a loop with this map from the car park. Estimate 2 miles without going all the way to Stone Bay.
7 Things To Do In Ramsgate With Kids
After Broadstairs, Ramsgate is a quick 10-minute car drive away. Pop in this Ramsgate postcode CT11 8NA to continue a marina or cliff promenade walk towards The Royal Harbour Marina. You don’t have to spend all day for a first time visit with kids. Here are quick things to do in Ramsgate with kids.
1 – Ramsgate Tunnels
The Ramsgate Tunnels are the UK’s largest network of civilian tunnels during wartimes. Originally used for a railway system in 1863 and evolved over the centuries to support the wartimes, a Newington Trunk Sewer, back to wartimes and eventually converted to a tourist attraction to commemorate and honor WWII.
Unfortunately closed on our day trip to Broadstairs and Ramsgate, but still an interesting landmark to see. If you have the opportunity to walk the tunnels, plan 1-2 hours.
2 – Albion House
In addition to the Albion House being a luxury boutique hotel with amazing sea views, it’s actually the house where
Princess Victoria recovered from typhoid in 1835. She returned again in 1842 as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Albion House Ramsgate
3 – Rubber Chicken House Ramsgate
Undoubtedly funny to see hanging from windows! Rubber chickens! This is a fun house to walk by in Ramsgate with kids. Be quick though because, respectfully, it’s a private residence.
The stairs that lead you past the Rubber Chicken House connect the cliffside to the marina. The stairs entrance will be on your left as you walk towards the marina from Wellington Crescent.
Rubber Chicken House Ramsgate
4 – The Royal Harbour Marina
Ramsgate is home to the only Royal Harbour in the UK. The harbour was given its status by King George IV after his lovely visit in Ramsgate in 1820.
Royal Harbour Marina
5 – Shops on Military Road
This section of the Royal Harbour in Ramsgate is lined with colorful and nautically displayed gift shops, boating essentials, cute cafes, and seafood restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for a coffee break or to enjoy the sails of the marina with a glass of wine for the adults and slurpees for the kids.
Shops on Military Road
6 – The Admiral Harvey Pub On York Street
The kids will spot the massive crab on York Street from a distance! A blue Ramsgate Society hangs overhead to pay tribute to three of the most powerful 20th-century show business figures in the West End that lived in building at The Admiral Harvey.
The Admiral Harvey Pub Crab & Oysters
7 – Albion Gardens War Memorial
On the return to the car park, make sure to weave through the Albion Gardens War Memorial on the wide corner as you near Albion House. The Destiny Sculpture, a female figure partially covered in drapery and seated on a plinth is what to look for in the gardens.
Albion Gardens War Memorial
Map For Ramsgate With Kids
From parking, take the Marina Esplanade to Augusta Steps (after seeing the Tunnels). Then walk cliffside past Wellington Crescent to Kent Steps, down to the Marina. Once ready to reverse direction, walk along the High Street side to visit the Gardens on the return. Estimate 1.5 miles in Ramsgate.
Final Tips On Things To Do In Ramsgate and Broadstairs With Kids
As an expat living in England, exploring locally is the way to go when businesses are closed due to the pandemic and ongoing travel restrictions. It doesn’t mean we have to stop traveling. Consider travel through a different lens, explore closer to home, and act responsibly when we do.
So although swimming and lying in the sun in Broadstairs might have been the original bucket list wish, it’s the beautiful coastal walks that make this day trip from London to Broadstairs and Ramsgate a win with kids. These beach spots offer a less city vibe than walking or exploring the promenade in Brighton.
And if you need a souvenir idea for the kids, snag some sand and favorite seashells to mark a memorable visit. You can get all the details to create your own beach jar here. Or take the kids to pick out sweets at Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in Ramsgate – a top thing to do.
Whether you’re living in England for a short while or for the duration, be sure to check out these Kent seaside towns. Enjoy a day trip with these fun things to do in Ramsgate and Broadstairs with kids!
Looking for more things to do in Kent? Try these.
- 10 Best Things To Do In Canterbury That Make A Visit Worth It (+ map)
- 4 Fun Things To Do In Dover England In A Day
- Moving to Kent from America? Use my ultimate MOVING ABROAD CHECKLIST