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A historical holiday hotspot beloved of everyone from Queen Victoria to Charles Dickens, Broadstairs is teeming with staple seaside charm. The town’s motto, Stella Maris, translates to Star of the Sea and is said to refer back to an 11th-century shrine of St Mary, which was accessed via steps carved into the chalky cliffs. Within those same cliffs is a warren of caves and tunnels used by smugglers during the 18th and 19th centuries. Above the cliffs stands the iconic Bleak House, built for use as a captain’s residence in 1801 before being the holiday home of Charles Dickens and the very place where he wrote David Copperfield. Today, the house is privately owned but can still be admired from the exterior, where it sits like a sentinel overlooking the sea.
There are lots of things to see, do and enjoy in Broadstairs and the wider area of Thanet. From its collection of beautiful (and sandy!) beaches to the town’s annual music and literature festivals, it’s a bustling hub of fascinating history, fresh seafood and shimmering sea views.
Getting to Broadstairs
Perched between Margate and Ramsgate on Thanet’s most easterly coast, Broadstairs is easily accessed via road or rail. From London, the journey only takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes on the high-speed service from St Pancras. By car, the town can easily be accessed via the M2 and A299.
Where to park in Broadstairs
There are some limited free on-street parking spots throughout the town that you can use early in the morning or in the evening, but these are often time-restricted or quickly filled. For a stress-free visit with your car, here’s where we suggest parking:
Broadstairs Harbour Car Park (CT10 1EU) – Outdoor parking with 69 spaces
Right by the seafront and the Pavilion, this location is ideal for beach visits and trips into town. It’s open 24 hours and offers easy access to local eateries and attractions. In peak season, pricing starts at approximately £2.90 for the first hour, with incremental increases after that.
St Peter’s Park Road Car Park (CT10 2BG) – Outdoor parking with 79 spaces, including disabled bays. Located just behind Broadstairs Station, it’s well-positioned for access to shops, the High Street, and local landmarks like Crampton Tower. Parking charges are comparatively low. If you’re planning to use it as a base during a longer stay, you’ll pay £6.50 for 15 hours, and it’s free between 10pm and 7am.
Joss Bay Car Park (CT10 3PG) – Outdoor parking with 194 spaces (including disabled and caravan bays) is a good one to know about for beach visits. From April to October, the car park has charges, but the good news is that parking is free from 1 November to 31 March.
Where to stay in Broadstairs
Planning a stay at the Kent coast? Discover our collection of comfortable and charming Broadstairs holiday cottages or explore alternative options in the neighbouring resort towns of Margate and Ramsgate.
What to do in Broadstairs
Crammed with alluring architecture and conveniently situated for coastal path walks that take you to the neighbouring towns, Broadstairs has no shortage of ways to while away the day. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Broadstairs below.
- No trip to Broadstairs could be complete without acknowledging the town’s links to one of the UK’s most celebrated authors, Charles Dickens. Admire his long-time holiday residence, Bleak House (once known as Fort House) from Fort Road – but be respectful as it is a private property – or head to the Dickens House museum for a more in-depth insight into life in the Victorian era and the author’s sources of inspiration.
- Visit the adorable Palace Cinema for an entirely nostalgic and romantic screening experience. Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2025, it’s an independent film-lovers paradise.
- Celebrate the town’s connection to the sea by dipping, dunking, rockpooling, or simply just getting the sand between your toes with a spot of beachcombing. Viking Bay is just a few steps from the centre.
- Embark on a pursuit of healthiness at Tide Therapies. Known for providing an all-round wellbeing experience, you can enjoy a range of holistic therapies in a soothing setting. In the words of a Keepers Cottages team member, they do the very best facials and massages in Kent.
- Dine, drink or indulge in afternoon tea at the Royal Albion Hotel, a fully-fledged Broadstairs icon dating back to 1760. Rooms 34 and 35 were also occupied by Dickens during the writing of Nicholas Nickleby.
- Visit Viking Bay beach not just for the golden sands and brightly-coloured beach huts, but also to watch as people walk down the iconic white steps, which have a pleasing Wes Anderson-esque architecture. Don’t miss the Funicular Coffee House while you’re there.
- Walk to Margate following the four-mile Turner & Dickens route – plan your Margate visit with our guide and take the Thanet Loop bus back – they are easy to navigate and always end up back in Broadstairs, so it’s impossible to get lost.
Where to eat in Broadstairs
Along with its neighbours of Margate and Ramsgate, Broadstairs is becoming known for its emerging foodie scene and cafe culture. To begin the day as you mean to go on, head for GIANT COFFEE for delicious coffee and pastries. Equally good options include Forts on Chandos Road or Little Wave, which has a mouth-watering menu and caters well for little ones.
As the day progresses, head to the lush green jungle that is Foliage – marking the spot where coffeeshop meets cocktail bar meets houseplant heaven, or seek out seafront helpings of fish and chips at The Tartar Frigate, a quintessential beachfront pub.
For grown-up evening meals, Kebbells is a celebration of seafood dining with inviting interiors and friendly staff. On Albion Street, Posillipo offers authentic Italian dishes with a side of sparkling sea views. Further towards the harbour, Twenty Seven Harbour Street is a small seafood plates restaurant with an adorable bar serving cicchetti-inspired snacks next door.
If you have room for something sweet, Morelli’s is open until 8pm, at which point you should finish the day with a walk along the promenade, drinking in the changing light over the ocean alongside your ice cream.
Where to drink in Broadstairs
Broadstairs is full of characterful watering holes, ranging from the sleek settings of Reign Bar and Lounge to the buzz and bustle of the Magnet Micropub. If it’s a loved-by-locals type of place you’re in search of, look no further than The Chapel, where nights of live music and sporting events are accompanied by cocktails and drinkers jostle merrily between the bookshelves – it’s also a bookshop.
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, it’s considered an informal right-of-passage to enjoy a jug of Pimms at The Pavilion, which occupies a stunning spot beside the town’s main beach, Viking Bay.
What to see in Broadstairs
if you’re on a whistle-stop tour or just visiting for the day, below are the sights we’d make a beeline for:
- Walking beneath the Grade II listed York Gate on Harbour Street. Originally built around 1540, this stunning stone arch acts as an informal entrance to the beach and is finished in the attractive flint style like many of the town’s houses.
- Enjoying a sweet treat at Morelli’s. One of the UK’s oldest ice cream parlours, this iconic establishment has incredible interiors that will allow you to step back in time to 1952, when it was last refurbished.
- Admire the Kingsgate Arch (and other sea stacks) of Kingsgate Bay – bonus points if you go for the spectacular sunrise.
Best beaches near Broadstairs
Broadstairs is flanked by some seriously great beaches, including the main beach of Viking Bay, which is easily accessible from the town centre but does get busy as a result. Nearby, Joss Bay is home to a surf school, Kingsgate Bay boasts stunning rock formations and Louisa Bay, which is tucked around the curve from the main Viking Bay, offers a small wedge of sand when the time is right. As with all beaches, you should check the tide times ahead of your visit to ensure you’re not disappointed!
Want to discover more beaches in the area? Take a look at our Best Beaches in Kent Guide.
