A Personal Perspective on Broadstairs

The Seven Bays

There are seven beautiful sandy bays in and around Broadstairs, each providing a slightly different character. Here are just a few pictures of each bay starting with - Botany Bay.

The Seaside Awards have been announced for 2004 and the following beaches have won awards:

• Botany Bay
• Joss Bay
• Viking Bay

Botany Bay is the most northerly bay of the seven with a unique character almost like a tropical island with its chalk cliffs. It is patrolled during the main season by lifeguards.

There is now a web site created by the people who run the Beach Kiosk at the bay.

Next is Kingsgate Bay with its caves in the chalk cliffs and the Captain Digby public house overlooking one side of the bay. Parking here is difficult although it is a short walk from Joss Bay where there is a large car park.

Joss Bay is very popular, especially with both surfers (when wind & tide is right) and sun seekers. It has a large car park and is patrolled by lifeguards during the main season. It is situated just below the North Foreland Lighthouse. See The Big Chill for surfing information. Also the Joss Bay website.

The next as we move south Stone Bay, a popular bay with visitors and locals alike. It can be reached from either of two sets of steps down the cliffs, or by walking along the promenade from Viking Bay. It is also famous as the setting for the John Buchan book 'The 39 Steps'.

 Viking Bay is the main bay in Broadstairs, a delightful horse shoe shaped bay, patrolled by lifeguards. It combines a small harbour with some working boats with an active sailing club and fishing society as well as all the usual attractions for a traditional seaside - ice creams, candy floss, a small children's fun fair and a busy cafe. It is easily accessible for all now it has a beach lift open daily from Whitsun to the end of September. In 2006 Viking Bay received its first ever Blue Flag.

This is a view of Louisa Bay and as you can see it is just round the southern headland of Viking Bay and can be reached on the promenade. It is usually quite quiet, and does have small kiosk. At high tide there is little if any sand left here!

The last of the seven bays, and most southerly, is known as Dumpton Gap. If you feel like a walk from here Ramsgate is not far and can be reached on the beach at low tide, or along the cliff top if the tide is wrong.