Broadstairs - A Personal Perspective

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.

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.

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. There is a Surf School located here for details see the Joss Bay Surf School 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, but please make sure you know whether the tide is coming in or going out as you can be cut off if you get it wrong, or along the cliff top if the tide is in.