Ideas for nearby places to visit if you are staying in Broadstairs
General
Ramsgate with its maritime history and Royal Harbour is only a couple of miles along the coast. A recent property programme highlighted the great restaurants overlooking the harbour, not to mention the Arcades. Walking at Ramsgate and all along the Thanet coast is fantastic. From Ramsgate you can walk all the way to historic Sandwich.
The cathedral city of Canterbury is only a 25 mins drive away and the cathedral itself is worth a visit on its own - see www.canterbury-cathedral.org and www.canterbury.co.uk/tourist-information. The pretty Kent villages of Chilham, Wingham and Sandwich are all within short driving distance
Dover castle is a "must" if you are interested in the history of this area of the country and young and old alike will love the tour of the underground tunnels beneath the cliff that were used during the Second World War - see www.english-heritage.org.uk for full details of this and 25 other interesting sites in Kent including Walmer castle and Deal castle. There are cliff walks and a lighthouse nearby Dover castle run by the national trust - see www.nationaltrust.org.uk (South Foreland Lighthouse and White Cliffs) for the more active. It is well worth arranging your visit to the lighthouse to fit in with the tours inside the lighthouse run by the national trust. Westwood Cross Shopping Centre which features many household name shops is just a 10 minute drive or short bus journey away from Broadstairs. There is a large cinema attached to this shopping complex which shows all the latest films - see
www.visitthanet.co.uk
Cycling, sailing, kiyaking, horse riding, coastal walks, championship golf courses, and good public transport are all available locally.
Golf
North Foreland Broadstairs 2.5 miles cliff top chalk based free draining. 18 holes 6382 yards. S.S.S. 71. Short Course: 18 holes 1752 yards. Par 3.
St Augustines, Ramsgate approx 3 miles. Mainly parkland flat - tight and challenging course. 18 holes 5129 yards 4690 metres. S.S.S. 65.
Royal St George's Sandwich (approx 12 miles) 18 hole, championship links course. Championship yardage 7102 Medal yardage 6607. Weekday yardage 6176 yards. S.S.S. Championship 74, Medal 72. Practice ground available. Fully stocked Pro Shop.
Princes Sandwich (12m app) 27 holes arranged as 3 loops of 9 holes named 'Dunes' 'Himalayas' 'Shore'. D and H 6262 - 6776 yds Par 71 S.S.S. 70-73. H and S 6238 - 6813 yds Par 71 S.S.S. 70-73. S and D 6466-7145 yds Par 72 S.S.S. 71-73. Driving range full practice facilities.)
Also Cinque Ports, Deal, 20m. Barham, 20m.
For more details see www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/coursedir/kent1.htm
The British Open Golf Championships 2011 will be held at the Royal St Georges Golf Club, Sandwich from 14 - 17 July 2011 see www.britishopengolf/Kent.co.uk .
Beaches
All the beaches on this coast are sandy.
Louisa Bay - Derek's cafe (outside) Great breakfasts/lunches weekends Easter to Sept and daily as well in August hols. Promenade to sit at high tide. Launch for kayaks.
Viking Bay – The main beach. Perfect to sit on for the day. Also kayak hire, helter skelter and merry go round rides, trampolines, rockpool at low tide, cafe, lifeguards high season. Punch and Judy show for the children. Bandstand in gardens above. Short walking distance to numerous cafes, bars and ice cream parlours. Lift between beach and gardens above.
Dumpton Gap - cafe open during August holidays. Excellent for walks. You can walk on the beach all the way to Ramsgate, stop for a coffee overlooking the harbour and then come back along the park at the top of the cliffs.
Stone Bay - cafe open during August holidays.
Joss Bay - 10 min drive away. Good for surfing.
For more information see www.visitthanet.co.uk
Ski-ing
Dry ski slopes at Folkestone and Chatham which are approximately 45 minutes drive each open all year. Equipment available for hire and lessons available.
For more information see www.jnlchatham.co.uk and www.folkestonesportscentre.co.uk
Children
Walking and Cycling
Broadstairs is an excellant area for walking and/or cycling - see www.vikingcoastaltrail.co.uk for lots of useful information. we also have some walking books in the house to help you plan your walking routes.
We have a collection of books, booklets and leaflets at the house to help you plan your stay and the local tourist information office is located within the Dickens House Museum close to the Broadstairs seafront.