Camping in Kent offers more than just a chance to reconnect with nature; it’s an opportunity to explore some of the UK’s most stunning beaches.
Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking a caravan, the Kent coastline, with its diverse landscapes from sandy shores to shingle stretches, promises a perfect beach for every type of camper.
Here’s a guide to the best beaches in Kent, each offering unique features and benefits to enhance your camping experience.
1. Botany Bay
Key Benefit: Family-friendly with a chance for fossil hunting
Botany Bay, located near Broadstairs, is a gem for families and history enthusiasts alike.
Its expansive sandy beach, framed by dramatic white cliffs and intriguing chalk stacks, is not just a sight to behold but a playground for the curious.
Fossil hunting here can turn a casual beach day into an exciting treasure hunt, making it a perfect educational experience for children.
During the summer months, lifeguards ensure safe swimming conditions, allowing parents to relax while the kids paddle in the shallows.
The nearby café provides refreshments, making Botany Bay a convenient choice for campers.
2. Viking Bay
Key Benefit: Classic seaside charm with amenities
Viking Bay in Broadstairs epitomises the quintessential British seaside experience.
Its horseshoe-shaped sandy beach, lined with a promenade and traditional beach huts, offers a nostalgic charm.
The bay’s proximity to Broadstairs town means campers have easy access to a range of amenities, from seaside shops to cosy cafés.
The beach is also equipped with a tidal pool, children’s rides, and a lifeguard service in the summer, ensuring a fun and safe environment for all ages.
3. Joss Bay
Key Benefit: Water sports and surfing lessons
For those seeking adventure, Joss Bay is Kent’s surfing hotspot.
The bay’s sandy beach is ideal for both beginners and experienced surfers, with the Joss Bay Surf School providing lessons and equipment hire.
Its location between Margate and Broadstairs makes it easily accessible for a day trip.
Besides surfing, the beach is popular for paddleboarding and kayaking, offering a variety of water sports to keep campers entertained.
4. Dungeness Beach
Key Benefit: Unique landscape and wildlife
Dungeness offers an unparalleled beach experience with its vast shingle landscape and rare wildlife.
Often described as Britain’s only desert, its stark beauty and unique ecosystem make it a fascinating spot for nature lovers and photographers.
The beach is dog-friendly, allowing campers to explore with their furry friends.
The nearby Dungeness Snack Shack serves up fresh, locally caught fish, providing a taste of the area’s rich maritime culture.
5. Whitstable Beach
Key Benefit: Culinary delights and oyster tasting
Whitstable is renowned for its oysters and vibrant culinary scene, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
The town’s shingle beach, with its picturesque beach huts and working harbour, offers a charming backdrop for a day by the sea.
The annual Whitstable Oyster Festival celebrates the town’s heritage, offering campers the chance to indulge in fresh seafood and local delicacies.
Beyond its culinary offerings, Whitstable Beach is perfect for leisurely strolls and sunset watching, providing a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle.
6. Margate Main Sands
Key Benefit: Amusement park and cultural attractions
Margate Main Sands is the heart of Margate’s seaside charm, offering golden sands against a backdrop of classic and contemporary attractions.
The beach is directly accessible from the train station, making it an easy day out for those camping in and around Margate.
Dreamland amusement park, located just off the beach, provides fun for all ages with its vintage rides and modern attractions.
The Turner Contemporary gallery, a short walk from the beach, offers cultural enrichment with its exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
Margate Main Sands is perfect for campers seeking a blend of beach relaxation and entertainment.
7. Minnis Bay
Key Benefit: Watersports and family facilities
Minnis Bay, with its long sandy stretch, is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and families.
The bay is well-equipped for activities such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, and paddleboarding.
Its Victorian tidal pool, children’s play area, and ample space for beach games make it a favourite among families.
The Viking Coastal Trail runs alongside the beach, offering scenic routes for cyclists and walkers.
With stunning sunsets and a wide array of facilities, Minnis Bay ensures a memorable beach day for campers.
8. Stone Bay
Key Benefit: Quiet and picturesque with rock pools
Stone Bay offers a peaceful retreat from the more crowded beaches of Kent.
This sandy beach, surrounded by high cliffs, is a treasure trove of rock pools at low tide, providing endless exploration opportunities.
The beach’s quiet nature makes it an ideal spot for reading, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the serene environment.
Despite its tranquillity, Stone Bay is just a short walk from Broadstairs, where campers can find all the necessary amenities.
Its Blue Flag status attests to the clean water and beach quality, ensuring a pleasant visit.
9. Deal Beach
Key Benefit: Historic charm and leisure activities
Deal Beach is celebrated for its picturesque promenade, historic pier, and the imposing Deal Castle.
This shingle beach offers a more laid-back atmosphere, ideal for leisurely walks, fishing, and picnicking.
The town of Deal, with its quaint shops and cosy cafés, adds to the beach’s charm, providing a glimpse into Kent’s maritime heritage.
Campers can enjoy the panoramic sea views, explore the castle, or simply relax on the beach, making Deal an excellent choice for a day by the sea.
10. Tankerton Beach
Key Benefit: Natural beauty and ‘The Street’
Tankerton Beach, near Whitstable, is known for its grassy slopes and shingle shore, offering a picturesque setting for beachgoers.
The beach’s unique feature, ‘The Street’, is a natural shingle spit that extends into the sea at low tide, allowing visitors to walk out and explore the marine life in the rock pools.
Tankerton’s quiet charm, combined with its proximity to Whitstable’s famous oyster bars and shops, makes it a perfect spot for campers looking for a mix of natural beauty and local culture.
Kent’s coastline is a mosaic of stunning beaches, each with its own character and appeal.
From the family-friendly shores of Botany Bay to the tranquil retreat of Tankerton Beach, campers are spoilt for choice.
Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences, these beaches offer a perfect escape into Kent’s seaside wonders.
So, pack your camping gear, and set off to explore the best beaches Kent has to offer, ensuring a memorable camping trip filled with sun, sea, and sand.
