Backing Britain's Beaches - Unveiling the secret sands of the Kent Coastline
Tourism South East is shining the spotlight on Kent's coastline as part of its Family Fun campaign launched this month in association with Kent Tourism Alliance. The traditional seaside holiday is still a firm family favourite and with over 14 beaches within 26 miles of Kent coastline there's a location to suit everyone.
The great thing about being an island nation is that nowhere is far from the sea. Only an hour from the country's capital, Kent is the hidden jewel in the South East and the county enjoys a milder and sunnier climate than almost any part of the UK. From golden sands, donkey rides and deckchairs to more secluded hideaways. From buckets, spades and sandcastles to sailing, surfing or cycling the cliff paths, Kent's beautiful coastline has it all and will make any break a truly unforgettable one. Families seeking to get-away this summer need look no further than www.visitsoutheastengland.com/familyfun to discover Kent's hot spots for sandy adventures.
But being 'beside the sea' doesn't conjure up the same images for all of us. Some prefer the 'tried and tested' - others prefer trying something new - maybe more extreme sports such as land yachting and kitesurfing - the trick is finding the balance, somewhere where the whole family will be happy. Kent fits the bill. Its beaches are clean and safe with nine of its beaches designated as Blue Flag award-winners for their high standards of cleanliness and water quality and plenty of activities to suit everyone.
Among the big winners of Blue Flags in 2006 is Margate, which now has three resorts boasting Blue Flag status. Main Sands beach at Margate has that typical seaside resort atmosphere on a large scale and, certainly, on a sunny day, large amounts of people to watch at your leisure! If you are hoping to re-visit the nostalgia of your childhood holidays then Margate is the place. It has 200 metres of golden sands with a boating pool, children's rides, a promenade, and deck chairs for hire. The UK now has less than 900 donkeys licenced to work on its beaches and Margate is one of the remaining few to offer traditional donkey rides. For family entertainment nearby West Bay and Westgate-on-Sea are also great beaches, offering huge expanses of sandy beach, as well as the chance to go poking around rockpools complete with rolled-up trouser legs, and nets. Dymchurch is another traditional holiday beach - great for entertaining kids with plenty of shops, cafes and take-aways to give Mums and Dads a break.
Viking Bay in Broadstairs is a popular choice for 'extended families' with its sandy beach, children's play area, and pretty promenades with lifts down to the beach. Following the traditional 'stroll along the prom' there are garden benches for Granny and Grandpa to sit without getting sand in their socks. For the opportunity to watch people messing about on boats then Ramsgate's picturesque harbour is ideal. The beach is glorious sand and any budding engineers and architects can spend hours constructing magnificent fortresses! If you are feeling more energetic Minnis Bay, Birchington and Herne Bay are both popular sailing beaches which also offer safe places for swimming and if surfing is your thing, then pay a visit to Joss Bay - it's where the cool dudes hang out!
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to see the county is on two wheels. Kent has many designated cycle trails and places to hire bikes. Sandwich Bay, whose name is Saxon in origin, meaning sandy place, or the place on the sand, has part of the White Cliff Country trail cycle lane along its beach. Nearby Pegwell Bay Country Park and Reculver Country Park, complete with its large ruins, are also great for walks and bike rides and if you pack a picnic it's a lovely spot to spend an afternoon in peaceful surroundings with fantastic sea views. For complete peace and quiet and hidden down a private road, Kingsdown beach is an ideal place to relax while Sandgate Bay offers seclusion, shingle and a nice spot for fishing.
Why not use a short break as the chance to try something completely new and different that is certain to wow your friends. One of the fastest growing water sports in the world today, kitesurfing is very popular around the Kent coast where perfect conditions can be found. Apparently it's easier to learn than windsurfing and ten times more exciting with ideal conditions being: clean winds, and sandy beaches that face all directions. Top spots are Whitstable on the North shore and also at Ramsgate Sands, Minnis Bay and Pegwell Bay.
Kent's wide and sandy beaches also provide a great platform for Land Yachting which is the sport of sitting on what looks like a plank of wood with a sail, inches above the sand, racing at great speed and all with no brakes! Perhaps a slightly more traditional and relaxing seaside activity but still harnessing wind power is kite flying which is popular in Kent with all ages, at both St Mary's Bay and St. Mildred's Bay, just west of Margate.
Finally, if your idea of a short break is truly being at one with the elements, Kent even has its own official naturist beach at Shellness, near Leysdown. The beach is crushed shells which produces fine shingle and is fringed with grassed dunes. So whatever way you choose to enjoy the seaside and the great outdoors this summer, Kent certainly has a space for everyone.
SEAL WATCHING
Take a seal spotting tours to the Shivering Sands or Swale banks to catch a glimpse of these endearing creatures. From 10 June, Windrider is offering new eco-friendly powerboat tours departing from the Royal Harbour at Ramsgate. Visit www.kenttourism.co.uk. For tour times and seat availability call 07931744788.
SEASHORE SAFARIS
Free family fun this summer - discover what lurks in the rockpools of our shores. Each Safari last approximately 2 hours.
Sat 29 Jul, 9.30am Minnis Bay Mon 31 July, 10.30am Westbay
Tues 1 Aug, 11am Joss Bay Wed 2 Aug, 11am Louisa Bay
Sun 6 Aug, 3.30pm Botany Bay Mon 7 Aug, 4.30pm Winterstoke (Ramsgate)
Fri 11 Aug, 9am St Mildreds Bay (Westgate) Sat 12 Aug, 9.30am Nayland Rock (Margate)
Sun 13 Aug, 10am Dumpton Gap Mon 14 Aug, 10am Stone Bay
Tues 15 Aug, 11am Walpole Bay
COASTAL ROCK WALKS AROUND THE THANET COAST WITH THE 'ROCK DOC'
Learn the language of the rocks... chalk cliffs, flints & fossils... with the Rock Doc. All walks start at 11am & last between 1-2 hours. Free, but booking essential - contact Ramsgate Visitor Info Centre 0870 2646111
Sun 16 July, Kingsgate Bay
Sat 19 August, Pegwell Bay
Sat 16 September, Minnis Bay
Ends
For further information and images please contact Sarah Sheldon at Isis PR on 01844 212005
Notes to Editors:
- www.visitsoutheastengland.com is the consumer website for Tourism South East
- Tourism South East (TSE) is the new regional Tourist Board responsible for tourism in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
- TSE is the largest tourist board in the UK outside London and is the driving force for innovation and growth in tourism - representing over 2,000 members from all sectors of an industry worth an estimated £10 billion and providing more than 225,000 jobs to the economy of the South East England.
- Recent research by TSE in 2005 involving 6,000 interviews in over 60 locations investigated the motivations for families taking short breaks; what they enjoyed doing in their leisure time and the types of accommodation they prefer. Education, entertainment and value for money are key factors when planning days out for the family, with heritage attractions and a preference for self-catering accommodation being high on the list of priorities.
- Results of this research study have shaped Tourism South East's domestic marketing plan for 2006 and TSE is working with a number of regional partners, on their first domestic campaign of the year: Family Fun.
- The Tourism South East Family Fun Campaign aims to promote attractions that are suitable for family days out. The South East of England has thousands of adventures within a two hour radius of London that won't break the bank, including:
o Cycling
o Family friendly beaches
o Water sports
o Maritime history
o Extensive shopping opportunities
o Theme parks
o Animal attractions
o Family friendly heritage centres
o Children's literary connections
- For more information about what to do and where to go this summer visit the Tourism South East web site at: http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/familyfun
- The Blue Flag scheme is organised by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) and administered in England by ENCAMS. Blue Flags, which also reward easy access to beaches and facilities, are issued across the world
- TOP BLUE FLAG BEACHES IN KENT 2006:
o Beach Street, Sheerness
o Birchington, Minnis Bay
o Leysdown
o Margate, Main Sands
o St Mildred's Bay, Westgate
o Viking Bay, Broadstairs
o Walpole Bay, Margate
o Westbrook Bay, Margate
o West Bay, Westgate