Ramsgate has a royal harbour, the Main Sands beach and the Ramsgate Tunnels beneath the town, with the Broadstairs bays and Pegwell Bay a short trip along the Thanet coast.
Image: Visit ThanetRamsgate Main Sands is a long sandy beach right beside the Royal Harbour and marina, with a continental feel. Spend the day on the sand, then try the arcades, kiosks and al fresco restaurants along the front. It is an easy half day for families.
Image: Ramsgate TunnelsRamsgate Tunnels runs guided explorer tours through the town's Second World War deep shelter network, which grew out of a Victorian railway tunnel. Tours begin with a short film, then go deep underground to tell how the shelters protected Ramsgate's people. It suits families with older children, teens and history fans, and takes around 90 minutes.
Image: Ellington ParkEllington Park is a 12 acre Victorian park in Ramsgate with over 400 trees, restored in 2021 with a new cafe, playground, terrace and bandstand. Children have two play areas and a trim trail, while the volunteer-run wildlife garden and bookshop add a gentle community feel. It suits families for an easy hour or two.
Image: Visit ThanetDumpton Gap is a quiet sandy bay between Broadstairs and Ramsgate with a promenade and kiosk. It is one of the best starting points for a low tide walk along the foot of the cliffs to Ramsgate. Come for a calmer beach day with children or dogs, or a couple of hours walking the shore.
Image: Visit ThanetLouisa Bay is a small, sheltered beach a short walk from Viking Bay in Broadstairs, and one of the town's best spots for rockpooling. There is a cafe on the promenade and beach chalets along the front. It suits families with young children who want a quieter hour or two by the sea.
Image: Lillyputt MinigolfLillyputt is a heritage mini golf course on Victoria Parade in Broadstairs, based on Arnold Palmer's original designs and set among beautifully kept gardens, windmill included. After your round, the Tea Garden Cafe serves hot and cold food, ice cream and its toasted teacakes. It suits families and couples, there is no need to book, and a round plus tea fills an hour or two.
Image: Dickens House MuseumThis seafront cottage in Broadstairs inspired the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield and now celebrates Dickens' long love of the town. Volunteers show visitors round letters and belongings of the author, including his writing box, alongside Phiz prints, Victorian costume and Dickens memorabilia. It is small and best combined with a walk along the bay.
Image: AirHopAirHop Westwood Cross is an indoor adventure and trampoline park at the Westwood Cross shopping centre. Jump across interconnecting trampolines and giant inflatables, play laser tag or try the Robokeeper and Strike Arena games. It suits families with toddlers through to teens, and a session takes one to two hours.
Image: Visit ThanetViking Bay is the horseshoe-shaped sandy beach at the heart of Broadstairs, the seaside town Charles Dickens chose for his holidays. Spend the day building sandcastles, swimming in lifeguarded water or trying the surf school, with a boardwalk, café, beach shops and deckchair hire on hand. It is a classic family seaside day.
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0Pegwell Bay is part of the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, with a country park whose sea wall path looks out over saltmarsh and mudflats. Watch waders and wildfowl in autumn and winter, look for seals from the end of Stonelees and use the play and picnic areas. It suits families, dog walkers and birdwatchers for a couple of hours.
Image: English HeritageSt Augustine's Cross is a 19th-century cross of Saxon design marking the spot where St Augustine is traditionally said to have landed in AD 597. It is a quick, free stop on the way between Thanet and Sandwich. Allow half an hour, or pair it with nearby Richborough Roman Fort.
Image: Visit ThanetStone Bay is a quieter, cliff-backed beach just north of Broadstairs town centre, best known for rock pooling. Explore the pools at low tide, hire a beach chalet, then stroll the promenade to Viking Bay and the town. It suits families with young children for a few hours.
Image: WonderWorks MargateThe WonderWorks is Hornby's model-making attraction in its old Margate factory, home to the Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi brands. Wander past detailed model railway layouts, try out the controls, race on the Scalextric circuits and browse the shop and café. It is an affordable hour or two for families and model fans, and handy on a rainy day.
Image: Revolution Skatepark & Climbing CentreRevolution in Broadstairs pairs a big indoor skatepark, spread across three warehouses of ramps, with a climbing centre for bouldering, roped walls, auto-belay, lead climbing and an abseil tower. Skateboarders, scooter riders, skaters and BMXers ride in 2-hour sessions, and there is a skate, surf and climb shop plus a snack bar with viewing areas. It suits active children, teens and families, with lessons and holiday camps for beginners.
Image: Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial MuseumThe Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum at Manston airfield is headlined by its Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, with displays on the pilots and RAF Manston. You can also try a lifelike Spitfire flight simulator. Entry is free, it suits families and aviation fans, and an hour or two is enough.
Photo: Barry Marsh from London, England, CC0Margate's only working smock mill, built in 1845 by John Holman of Canterbury and run by volunteers from the Drapers Windmill Trust. It stands on a hill on the Turner and Dickens Walk between Margate and Broadstairs.
Image: Thanet District CouncilNorthdown Park in Cliftonville was once the grounds of Georgian Northdown House, and still has formal walled gardens near the house. Further north there is open space, natural woodland and a children's play area. It is a handy free stop for families and dog walkers for an hour or so.
Image: Visit ThanetJoss Bay is a 200 metre sandy bay near Broadstairs, best known as Thanet's top surfing beach and holder of a Blue Flag and Seaside Award for 2026. Families can build sandcastles, rockpool, bounce at the seasonal Kids Corner and grab snacks from the cafe. It is easy to spend half a day here in summer.
Image: BroadstairsThe Broadstairs Dickens Festival runs over one weekend in June 2027 in the seaside town of Broadstairs. Visitors can see costumed characters, a Victorian Fayre and theatrical displays, with local eateries joining in. It suits families and anyone interested in Dickens and Victorian life.
Image: Broadstairs & St Peter's Town CouncilBroadstairs and St Peter's Town Council's Christmas market at the historic Pierremont Hall, with traders, artisans and food vendors, plus live music.
Image: Broadstairs & St Peter's Town CouncilBroadstairs and St Peter's Town Council's bonfire night celebration on the sand at Viking Bay, with live music by the bandstand before a fireworks display over the sea from Viking Fireworks.
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0Bay Explorers is a monthly wildlife session for children aged 8 to 16, held at Pegwell Bay Country Park near Ramsgate. This session on Saturday 24 October from 10am to 1.30pm explores local wildlife, from beavers to birds. Booking is recommended.
Image: WonderWorks MargateModelling Monday is a weekly free session at The WonderWorks in Margate, running from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Attendees can bring their own model project, such as Airfix kits, military models, cars, planes, trains or figures, and work at a modelling workstation. An on-hand model maker offers hints and advice, and the session suits both beginners and experienced modellers.
Image: WonderWorks MargateFree Mother and Baby sessions are held every Tuesday in term time at the WonderWorks café in Margate, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, between 20 October and 22 December 2026. Parents and carers can chat and relax while babies play in a dedicated baby play area. The sessions are suited to parents with babies under one year old, and booking is recommended.
Image: WonderWorks MargateFree entry for everyone runs during the Halloween half term from 24 October to 1 November 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. It takes place at The WonderWorks by Hornby Hobbies in Margate, and booking is recommended. It suits families visiting Margate during the school break.
Image: WonderWorks MargateChildren decorate a pumpkin-shaped shortbread biscuit to take home at Hornby Hobbies' WonderWorks visitor centre in Margate, home of the Hornby, Scalextric and Airfix displays.
Image: WonderWorks MargateThe WonderWorks by Hornby Hobbies in Margate is holding a clearance sale on 31 October and 1 November 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm each day. Up to 50 per cent off selected items is available for shoppers adding to a collection or starting a new hobby. No booking is needed.
Image: Ramsgate TunnelsRamsgate Tunnels runs guided explorer tours through the town's Second World War deep shelter network, which grew out of a Victorian railway tunnel. Tours begin with a short film, then go deep underground to tell how the shelters protected Ramsgate's people. It suits families with older children, teens and history fans, and takes around 90 minutes.
Image: Dickens House MuseumThis seafront cottage in Broadstairs inspired the home of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield and now celebrates Dickens' long love of the town. Volunteers show visitors round letters and belongings of the author, including his writing box, alongside Phiz prints, Victorian costume and Dickens memorabilia. It is small and best combined with a walk along the bay.
Image: AirHopAirHop Westwood Cross is an indoor adventure and trampoline park at the Westwood Cross shopping centre. Jump across interconnecting trampolines and giant inflatables, play laser tag or try the Robokeeper and Strike Arena games. It suits families with toddlers through to teens, and a session takes one to two hours.
Image: WonderWorks MargateThe WonderWorks is Hornby's model-making attraction in its old Margate factory, home to the Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi brands. Wander past detailed model railway layouts, try out the controls, race on the Scalextric circuits and browse the shop and café. It is an affordable hour or two for families and model fans, and handy on a rainy day.
Image: Revolution Skatepark & Climbing CentreRevolution in Broadstairs pairs a big indoor skatepark, spread across three warehouses of ramps, with a climbing centre for bouldering, roped walls, auto-belay, lead climbing and an abseil tower. Skateboarders, scooter riders, skaters and BMXers ride in 2-hour sessions, and there is a skate, surf and climb shop plus a snack bar with viewing areas. It suits active children, teens and families, with lessons and holiday camps for beginners.
Image: Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial MuseumThe Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum at Manston airfield is headlined by its Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, with displays on the pilots and RAF Manston. You can also try a lifelike Spitfire flight simulator. Entry is free, it suits families and aviation fans, and an hour or two is enough.
Image: Visit ThanetRamsgate Main Sands is a long sandy beach right beside the Royal Harbour and marina, with a continental feel. Spend the day on the sand, then try the arcades, kiosks and al fresco restaurants along the front. It is an easy half day for families.
Image: Ellington ParkEllington Park is a 12 acre Victorian park in Ramsgate with over 400 trees, restored in 2021 with a new cafe, playground, terrace and bandstand. Children have two play areas and a trim trail, while the volunteer-run wildlife garden and bookshop add a gentle community feel. It suits families for an easy hour or two.
Image: Visit ThanetDumpton Gap is a quiet sandy bay between Broadstairs and Ramsgate with a promenade and kiosk. It is one of the best starting points for a low tide walk along the foot of the cliffs to Ramsgate. Come for a calmer beach day with children or dogs, or a couple of hours walking the shore.
Image: Visit ThanetLouisa Bay is a small, sheltered beach a short walk from Viking Bay in Broadstairs, and one of the town's best spots for rockpooling. There is a cafe on the promenade and beach chalets along the front. It suits families with young children who want a quieter hour or two by the sea.
Image: Visit ThanetViking Bay is the horseshoe-shaped sandy beach at the heart of Broadstairs, the seaside town Charles Dickens chose for his holidays. Spend the day building sandcastles, swimming in lifeguarded water or trying the surf school, with a boardwalk, café, beach shops and deckchair hire on hand. It is a classic family seaside day.
Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0Pegwell Bay is part of the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, with a country park whose sea wall path looks out over saltmarsh and mudflats. Watch waders and wildfowl in autumn and winter, look for seals from the end of Stonelees and use the play and picnic areas. It suits families, dog walkers and birdwatchers for a couple of hours.
The rest of the 39 places we list within 10 km, closest first.
