Sun sparkling on sea, sand and shingle, the tang of salt in the air... who doesn’t love the Kent coast? But what about its hidden charms? We’ve asked those who really know their stuff for their insider info on making the most of our county’s bays and beaches, this summer and beyond.
The sea-glass collector
For the past couple of years, textile artist Nickie Bush, based in Aylesford, has been collecting sea glass - glass weathered over decades due to the tumbling action of sea and sand, resulting in its frosted appearance.
‘Initially I was after something to add texture to my fabric collages, and I thought sea-glass could be just the thing. Some online sleuthing led me to Minster beach on the Isle of Sheppey. It’s so quiet here, and I’ll often come with my children, Lily [8] and Primrose [4] and our dog, Ruby to see what we can find for our bucket. I’ve found colours ranging from clear to blues, greens and browns, down to the less usual pinks and lilacs – I’ve even found a piece of red glass – very rare! If you’re looking for glass, the best time to come is after a storm, when the sea will have churned pieces up and you can see it glittering on the beach. I sell what I collect in pretty jars or use them in my art work. If you want them to keep on glistening, just put them in a bowl and wipe them with a little olive oil – it works a treat. Several people have commented that sea glass is just litter but I say it’s treasure!'
etsy.com/uk/shop/NickieBushDesign
The rock-pooling expert
Tony Child is Thanet District Council's Thanet Coast Project Officer, a role that sees him develop and coordinate all sorts of initiatives to ensure people engage with our local marine life. This includes leading regular rock-pooling seashore safari adventures.
‘Check tides, dress for the weather, wear shoes with a good grip and cover up legs because rocks can be both slippery and sharp. I recommend that as well as a net, people bring a white bucket or container with them if possible – it’s much easier to see what you’ve got before you put it back. There are so many secrets to discover in rock pools – sea anemones, seaweeds, shrimps, shannys - a very charismatic shoreline fish - and rare finds, from the broad-clawed porcelain crab to the larger velvet swimming crab. And sometimes people don’t realise what they’re looking at. For example, along the strandline - or high-tide mark - you may find what's known as a mermaid’s glove - an organism that resembles a sponge - or cuttlefish eggs that look similar to black grapes. Even the artist Van Gogh, who visited Ramsgate in the late 19th century, sent back to his brother what he believed to be seaweed – in fact it was hornwrack, a type of animal.
When we’re running seashore safaris, we can tell people exactly what they’re seeing, but we’ve got great resources that you can access via our website too.’
thanetcoast.org.uk/informal-zone; news of activities: thanetcoast.org.uk/events
The sand artist
Growing up on the Kent coast, the sea has always been part of Ross Andrews’ life. He started creating sand art around 12 years ago.
‘Anyone can have a go at creating sand art – it’s about flow, energy and freedom and I always ‘draw’ freehand. I start, though, by checking the tides and the weather and thinking about the position of the sun – if it’s not in front of me, the light won’t reflect on what I’ve created, so it can’t be seen.. Best time for sand art is from September onwards, when the weather means the sand is damp, compact and won’t dry out too quickly. Anyone can have a go – you can draw with a stick or a rake – or a windbreak pole if you’ve got one. Basically I’ve got about five hours tops in which to create something – the most I’ve covered is an area about 3/4s of a mile. It’s that race against nature that I love – and just as you’ve finished creating something, the sand washes it away. Then you start all over again…
Rossandrew.co.uk Ross will be exhibiting the wave photos he also takes at the Pie Factory in Margate September 6-17
The beach cleaner
Nina Jones is Protected Warden Officer for Kent Wildlife Trust, regularly leading groups on beach-cleaning initiatives.
‘Increasingly people are taking interest in keeping our coastline litter free, whether that be as part of an organised group event or on their own accord while visiting the coastline. On some beaches, such as at Whitstable and Tankerton, there are even stations where you can help yourself to a bag and a litter picker. All kinds of rubbish might be found washed up on the beach but one of the most harmful is old fishing gear, like non-biodegradable dolly rope [the orange or blue plastic threads that are used to protect bottom trawling nets against wear and tear], which could get caught around a sea bird’s beak or legs and may be fatal.
If you’re thinking of carrying out a beach clean, it is best to aim for low tide, when you're least likely to disturb wildlife, such as migratory birds. Wear gloves in case you pick up anything sharp and think what you’re going to do with the litter you collect – some councils will take it away for you if you liaise with them in advance. If you want to collect regularly think about getting a picker from Waterhaul, which help close the loop on plastic waste, as the pickers are made from recycled ghost netting.
thanetcoast.org.uk/beach-cleans; kentwildlifetrust.org.uk; waterhaul.co
The all-weather sea swimmer
Helen Durrant is a programmer for a global tech company.
‘I’m a member of Margate Women’s Institute, and a group of us started swimming at the Walpole tidal pool in Margate during lockdown and haven’t stopped. It’s exhilarating and brilliant for mental health and we discuss everything and anything when we meet, always swimming in a completely non-competitive environment. We’re all shapes and sizes, some of us have young children, some are well into our 70s. If you’re giving all-weather sea swimming a go for the first time, I’d advise pacing yourself – I only managed a minute the first time I tried. Don’t underestimate the cold, nor the power of the sea; going with other people is always advisable. Some of our group just wear swimming costumes with hats and boots in winter, but many of us need wet-suits and they’re expensive. I’d advise shopping round, looking for second hand, and trying to find someone who’ll lend you one before you buy yourself, so you can find the size that actually fits you. A changing robe is a game-changer: it keeps you warm, and you can get dressed under it. And afterwards? A lot of us are keen on hot blackcurrant – but join us when it’s someone’s birthday and you’ll find cake, too. We always know how to celebrate.’
Margate WI swimmers meet at the Walpole tidal pool, Margate, 730am weekdays, 8am weekends. Margatewi.co.uk
The seaside forager
Lucia Stuart of The Wild Kitchen organises foraging trips around Kent and prepares delicious dishes with what she finds.
‘The great news about seaweed is that it’s never toxic, as long as you cut it fresh growing in the water and from a clean beach. Look out for the bright emerald leaves of ulva lactuca, or sea lettuce. Take it home, wash it well and use it fresh in bread dough, or dehydrate it (seaweed is four fifths water) for more flavour, grind it up and then use it as a savoury sprinkle. It’s full of calcium and other nutrients.
Other things to look out for are glorious sea beet, which is growing in abundance by the sea at Deal – you just use it as you would spinach - and, growing along the old Roman roads by the seaside or in sand dunes, wild fennel. You can recognise this by its hay-like leaves, bright yellow flowers and unmistakable fennel smell. It’s wonderful crumbled onto almost any dish.’
thewildkitchen.net
The geologist
Richard Hubbard’s professional career as a geologist has taken him all over the world. He now lives in the Kingsgate area of Broadstairs and regularly leads geology and fossil-hunting tours around the Kent coast.
‘We have the country’s largest section of natural chalk cliffs within an urban area right here in Thanet, which means some 17 beautiful bays and all the amazing geological features that they offer are easily accessible. Joss and Botany Bays are good for families – but I especially love Kingsgate, where I live. There’s a natural arch here – visible when you’ve got your back to the Captain Digby pub. It didn’t exist until 1970 – such sea arches form when rocks on a promontory are attacked by waves on both sides, caves are then formed and eventually these merge, forming the arch. Over time, the top of the arch erodes and that’s when you get sea stacks – such as the ones at Botany Bay, on of Kent’s most regularly photographed sights. The same thing should happen at Kingsgate over the next 20 years or so, when the arch collapses – so it’s worth seeing it as an arch while we still can!
People think white chalk is boring – in fact, it’s made up of thousands upon thousands of marine plankton, deposited here millenia ago, when the water was a tropical 30 degrees. You can’t hammer fossils out of rock, but the Thanet coastal code says you can pick up fossils on the beach – it’s relatively easy to find them after a winter rock fall. We’ve got a terrific ammonite embedded into the cliff face at Kingsgate that people love to admire. I also especially appreciate the sea caves on Kingsgate beach and the way that smugglers then added to them with their own man-made caves, giving them somewhere to hide their contraband and a means of escape from the beach. It’s all part of the rich history we can enjoy in this part of the world.’
Richard’s booklet The White Cliffs of Kingsgate is packed with info about the area and features a guided walk. Available from Turner Contemporary and tourist information in Margate or at the Captain Digby pub on the cliff top above Kingsgate Bay. Priced at £3, all proceeds go to the Thanet Coast Project.
The Skipper
Steve Norris owns and skippers Greta, a Thames sailing barge dating from 1892 that took part in the ‘Little Ships’ Dunkirk evacuation mission of 1940. He runs day trips from Whitstable harbour, taking passengers out on the water to see all sorts of things that might otherwise pass them by.
‘Though my trips last for six hours, people say the time flashes by – and they find being at sea very relaxing; one woman said that trips with me should be prescribed on the NHS!
There’s always wildlife to spot: we might see seals and porpoises if we’re going down the Swale estuary and I’ve even spotted a dolphin out at sea once.
The architecture we’ve got out on the water round here is amazing, too. The Maunsell forts – seven miles off the coast of Herne Bay – were built as defence devices in the World War 2. They look incredibly eerie on a misty day and I’m not surprised they once featured in an episode of Dr Who. The wind farm, too, clearly visible only from the water, is also very striking. It’s only when you’re nearby that you can spot they’re not all aligned. Apparently there’s a river bed that runs through the middle of the farm, which meant some of them had to be planted out of line to avoid a less-solid foundation.’
greta1892.co.uk
Seaside sense
Simple tips for staying safe this summer
One thing we can always safely predict is the unpredictability of our weather, don’t head to the beach without suntan lotion, sunhats and plenty of water, especially if you’re going there with children.
If you’re heading for a remote beach, bear in mind you might not get a mobile-phone signal, so go with a friend or make sure someone knows where you’ve headed to.
Above all, as everyone we’ve spoken to has stressed, it’s essential to stay tide-aware. Says the RNLI: ‘Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily catch you out if you haven’t checked them - a beach that was clear yesterday at 5pm might be completely covered in sea at the same time today, with the tide coming in surprisingly quickly. And as the tide moves up and down the beach, the depth of the water changes throughout the day, sometimes by as much as 10 metres. Simply walking further up the beach and away to safety might not be an option.
‘Tides have a reputation for being unpredictable, but really they follow a timetable more reliable than most trains! There are two different types: spring and neap.
Spring tides have greater depth range between high and low water, so at high tide the water comes in further up the beach.
Neap tides have less variation, so at high tide the water won't come in as far.
You can find out more information about tides in Kent through tide tables (see metoffice.gov.uk), apps, weather news or local websites. In busier areas, you can also get local tidal information from the Harbour Master, tourist information centre and some seaside retail outlets.
Rnli.org
Some of our favourite Kent beaches…
For bathing
If you fancy a dip, opt for somewhere that bears a Blue Flag, an international award presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes. As of May 2024, these are: Botany Bay, Joss Bay, Minnis Bay, St Mildred’s Bay, Sheerness and Tankerton.
For all-round interest
Organised by Keep Britain Tidy, Seaside Awards, which celebrate the quality and diversity of England's beaches (but don’t measure water quality) have been awarded in 2024 to the following: Dymchurch (look out for the little Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch steam railway), Herne Bay Central (the sort of beach where you’ll find amusement arcades and candy floss nearby, but on a pleasingly low-key scale), Leysdown (another beach area with a retro-feel), Louisa Bay (near Botany Bay) Minster Leas Beach, Margate Main Sands, and Walpole Bay, also in Margate (and with that traditional favourite – mini golf – nearby!).
For old-world charm
It’s got to be sandy Viking Bay at Broadstairs in our opinion, with its Victorian houses and pretty park as a backdrop – and we’re not the only ones who think so: back in May, singer-songwriting mega star Dua Lipa was spotted on the beach filming for her next music video. Maybe, like us, she was lured there not only by the lovely setting but by the chance to sample some exceptionally good gelato from Morelli’s on Victoria Parade - perfect for keeping those vocal chords lubricated! Humans are welcome (and seasonal WC facilities should make life easier for visiting families), but note you can’t take dogs in high season, when it gets very busy. For somewhere a little quieter nearby, head off to Botany Bay, which takes its name from the fate of those caught smuggling here – they were shipped off as convicts to Australia! You can’t miss the stacks that geologist Richard Hubbard refers to (see above), so be prepared to capture some great images on your phone.
For accessibility
Park close to the Britannia Inn (good for fish & chips) and at the car park nearby you’ll find the wooden boardwalk that leads across right down to the sea at Dungeness. Karla and Stephen of the excellent adventurewheels.co.uk describes wheelchair access here as easy if you’re prepared to put up with some bumps along the way. Dungeness is also good for those bringing dogs – they’re welcome here all year round.
For exploring
If you’ve been inspired by Tony Child and his rock-pooling, head for Shakespeare’s Beach, Dover. How did this beach and the cliff above it get their name? The bard was said to have been a frequent visitor to Dover, visiting during the time at which his epic King Lear was written, and referring to it within the play (infact in a rather tragic context - but let's not dwell on that...). These days, you’ll find them relatively drama-free: just a stretch of shingle and, at low tide, those all-important, sea-water-filled natural bowls, teaming with wildlife, so don’t forget your bucket and net! You’ll need to feel fairly intrepid to get here, with either over 100 steps to the beach or a walk beginning near Dover Marina. Lack of amenities helps keep it quiet – and the beach welcomes dogs all year round.
For getting away from the crowds
Tankerton’s terrific (recognised with both a Blue Flag and a Seaside Award), Whitstable’s wonderful – but shingly Seasalter feels relatively secluded, and that’s what makes it special. While there are no amenities on the beach itself, a definite lure is The Sportsman, just a stone’s throw (or pebble’s throw) away. Here, owner-chef Stephen Harris and his brother Phil prepare wonderful food made from carefully sourced local ingredients, wining themselves praise and a Michelin star in the process. A terrific lunch followed by a seaside walk sounds like the ideal way to spend an afternoon to us.
For sunsets (and more!)
Two spots especially spring to mind for spectacular sun-downers here in Kent: Deal, where locals describe fish & chips enjoyed on the beach as the sun sets as an experience to cherish . Then there’s Minnis Bay near Birchington , where summer sunsets, we’re told, see colours from pinks to oranges, lilacs to blues. But Minnis Bay seems to us like a great option full stop: plenty of parking spaces, nearby cafés, a play area for children, seasonal lifeguards and loos, ensuring both safety and comfort. All this and sand too - not to mention a combined Blue Flag and Seaside Award for 2024.
For the sense you’re in on a secret
Definitely on our hit list to explore this summer is The Warren near Folkstone, a beach that’s part of the Warren and East Cliff Country Park. To find it, start off at The Little Switzerland Café (great for a light meal or a drink - its clifftop position explains the name) then take a walk down past a wealth of plants, flowers and undergrowth to arrive at what in its Edwardian heyday was a thriving public beach, complete with its own railway station, park, beach huts and amenities a-plenty. Today, the only signs of its former life are remaining areas of concrete. You might spot a few rock-poolers, possibly a fossil hunter or a fisherman or two, or maybe people walking their dogs. Other than that, though, it’ll just be you, the cliffs and the sea and rather wonderful sense that you really are off the beaten track.
