Broadstairs often ranks highly in the popular places to live and while many locals may like to keep its charm a secret we think it needs to be shared...
GENERAL – pic of Viking Bay
The beaches around Broadstairs are some of the best in the county and as well as Viking Bay, with its colourful beach huts, there’s also Botany Bay…arguably one of the most scenic beaches as it boasts 200 metres of golden sands backed by white cliffs and rock pools.
Joss Bay is known for surfing and described as a surfer’s paradise. Want to take to the board? Joss Bay Surf School (jossbay.co.uk) offers surf and stand-up paddle board lessons.
History, too, is prominent in Broadstairs. One of the greatest novelists, Charles Dickens visited regularly between 1837 and 1859…more about him later.
If you’re new to the area, then a St Peter’s Village Tour (village.tour.co.uk) is recommended. The group of volunteers offer award-winning guided walks around the historic village and churchyard. Meet costumed characters while learning more about its long history.
You can’t miss out on a visit to the Crampton Tower Museum (cramptontower.co.uk) housed in the old town waterworks. Interactive displays and artefacts allow visitors to learn a little more about the life of Thomas Russell Crampton and why he designed the 80-ft water tower in the town.
And, a date for the diary has to be the ever popular Broadstairs Dickens Festival (broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk) Running from June 16 to 18, now in its 86th year, the festival celebrates everything associated with Charles Dickens.
With so much on offer in this charming town, keep up-to-date with news and events by visiting enjoybroadstairs.co.uk
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK
Part of the Thorley Taverns group, founded by Frank Thorley in 1972, The Tartare Frigate (tartarfrigate.co.uk) is the longest running restaurant in Broadstairs. Specialising in seafood, with an emphasis on home cooked, honest food, locally sourced is very important to the team, including Lemini Whiteley, restaurant manager, and Tom Chalkin, head chef.
Lemini said: “Mussels are a staple here, alongside our skate wing and our fish soup, bouillabaisse. The warmer weather brings more visitors to the area who are always keen for oysters and bubbles!
“In the summer we welcome many visitors here for their staycations and have live music every Friday and Sunday in the bar.”
From afternoon tea to grazing boards during the day, Reign Bar and Lounge (reign.bar) comes into its own in the evenings. The sultry deep blue décor and extensive drinks menus, including a selection of hand-made cocktails, provide an evening of class and sophistication.
If there’s one place you have to visit, it has to be Morelli’s (morellisgelato.com). A mecca for visitors and locals since 1932, step back in time with the soda fountain, juke box and pink leatherette booths, and, of course, delicious gelato which is made fresh every day.
WHERE TO SHOP
A valuable addition to Broadstairs, independent store KIT Lifestyle (kitlifestyle.co.uk) comes from the inspiration and unique opportunity for Liz Galloway, who returned to Broadstairs to raise her young family. The main shop is located on Charlotte Street and sells Scandinavian clothing and footwear for men and women, as well as a selection of accessories, homeware and gifts. The sister shop, Little KIT, on Eldon Place, stocks childrenswear, swimwear, selective fashion and beach accessories. Championing quality and value, eco-friendly and sustainable products are available, as is a friendly and memorable shopping experience.
Sweet Yesterdays (sweetyesterdays.co.uk) is a traditional sweet shop which sells a variety of delicious sweets and chocolates. Combining the classics which spark childhood memories along with the modern options, there’s also sugar-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan choices.
Sustainable shopping is made easy with Salt of the Earth in the High Street (saltoftheearthbroadstairs.co.uk). The shop stocks low waste, plastic free, vegan, natural and organic products which are not only good for us humans, but for the planet, too.
MUST SEE
It’s a special year for Dickens House Museum (dickensmuseumbroadstairs.com) as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary since the museum opened on June 16, 1973. A new self-guided, walking trail celebrating the world-famous author’s connections to Broadstairs is now available. Dickens House was originally a small Tudor building, extended and remodelled in Victorian times. Dickens based the character of Betsey Trotwood in ‘David Copperfield’ on Miss Mary Pearson Strong, who once lived there. The new trail will start and finish at Dickens House Museum.
The trail highlights places where Dickens and his family stayed when visiting the town for their holidays, the much-loved stories he wrote whilst there, along with photos showing how the town would have looked at this time.
Staffed by volunteer guides who are passionate about Charles Dickens, a visit around this unique house and museum is certainly a must.
WHERE TO STAY – pic of the Yarrow
Built in 1894 by Sir Alfred Yarrow, the large Jacobethan-style building has a long and illustrious history. With training at its heart, The Yarrow (theyarrowhotel.co.uk) has recently been extensively refurbished to create The Yarrow hotel within the grounds of EKC Group's Broadstairs College. This combines the best of the building’s history with modern convenience and luxury to ensure every stay is perfect. With 23 bedrooms and five suites, The Yarrow offers a range of choices whatever your requirements.
Standing proudly on the seafront since 1776, there’s The Royal Albion (albionbroadstairs.co.uk) with its 21 stunning bedrooms. Steeped in history, the hotel features the finest modern comforts and combines stunning sea views, elegant interiors and beautiful fresh fare.
Described as unique and quirky Artfuls (artfuls.co.uk) this bed and breakfast is steeped in history and underwent extensive renovation in 2019. The 19th century Georgian townhouse has individually decorated rooms including Victorian, Moulin Rouge, Beach and Oriental.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Post office: Sites are located at 15-16 The Broadway, 5 High Street, 27 Beacon Road in St Peters as well as in Ramsgate Road and Margate Road.
Healthcare: GP surgeries include Broadstairs Medical Practice, St Peter’s Surgery and Mocketts Wood Surgery. The nearest accident and emergency hospital is Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital. Visit nhs.uk for more health information.
Schools: There’s plenty of choice when it comes to education in the town. Dane Court Grammar School is a spacious site with state-of-the-art facilities and Wellesley House is a family-orientated preparatory school for children aged two to 13. Haddon Dene is a traditional preparatory school with a solid reputation for academic achievement.
Transport: As well as exploring on foot, cyclists can take in the views along the Viking Coastal Trail. Broadstairs station is located in Lloyd Road and bus routes connect Broadstairs with Margate and Ramsgate. The Loop connects the towns in a continuous cycle every seven minutes and operates seven days a week.
