Holly Price
A scenic seaside town on England’s southeast coast, Ramsgate combines culture, history and art. Once the landing point for overwintering Vikings, the wider local area, known as the Isle of Thanet, has been shaped by centuries of sailing and tourism, with the two still largely defining the region today. A ‘Limb’ to the Cinque Port of Sandwich, Ramsgate is one of the several English coastal towns regarded as part of a 1000-year-old confederation and even has its own Royal Harbour, which was a key embarkation point during the Napoleonic Wars and played an important role in Operation Dynamo, the Dunkirk evacuation.
Strategic strongholds aside, Ramsgate is simply a pleasant place to be. Kissed by the first light of the morning thanks to its easterly position, the sun rises over the sea to light up the eclectic mix of Georgian, Gothic Revival and Regency facades beyond the harbour. Bakeries and coffee shops bustle with life, locals pace along the promenade, and brightly-coloured sailing boats sway in the waters. Below, we’ll take a look at exactly how to while away a weekend here, or what to do in Ramsgate during your trip.
Getting to Ramsgate
Reaching Ramsgate from London can be done in as little as 1 hour and 15 minutes by train. You can travel directly from London St Pancras on the high-speed Southeastern services, with Ramsgate Train Station being just 1 mile from our popular Ramsgate property, Nomad House. If travelling by road, Ramsgate is accessed via the M20 or M2, before taking the A256 north of Dover, or the A28 west of Canterbury. The nearest airport is London Southend Airport, which is 35 miles away.
Where to park in Ramsgate
There are plenty of places to park throughout Ramsgate, making it an easy place to visit if you’re staying nearby. Places to park include:
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- Royal Harbour Multi Storey (CT11 9EF) – paid covered parking with 394 spaces
- Cannon Road Car Park (CT11 9SQ) – paid outdoor parking with 93 spaces, free on Saturdays!
- Albion Place Car Park (CT11 8HQ) – paid outdoor parking with 20 spaces.
Explore a complete list of carparks in Ramsgate and their charges here.
Where to stay in Ramsgate
An elegant oasis at the heart of the action, Nomad House is a stunning Regency townhouse with contemporary interiors. Sleeping up to six, it’s also pet-friendly and has sparkling sea views. Ideal for those travelling from London by rail, it’s close to all of Ramsgate’s attractions on foot. We also have a range of properties throughout the Isle of Thanet with cosy cottages and stylish getaways located across Ramsgate itself and in the neighbouring towns of Broadstairs and Margate.
What to do in Ramsgate
There are so many things to do in Ramsgate, but below we’ve rounded up the non-negotiables.
- Discover Ramsgate’s subterranean town. Reopened to the public in 2014 after 50 years, the Ramsgate Tunnels are a poignant reminder of wartime and a pivotal part of local history. Originally constructed as a railway, the tunnels went on to house around 300 families. Today, you can take a tour to see it for yourself.
- Take in the harbour views after climbing Jacob’s Ladder – a Grade II-listed structure named after the carpenter who crafted the original timber staircase that connected the harbour works to the cliff top, Jacob Stead.
- Shop for beautifully handcrafted homewares in POTTERS, an independent gift shop just a stone’s throw from one of the area’s best coffee shops (more on that below!)
- Get acquainted with the area’s artistic side by visiting local galleries such as York Street Gallery and hunting down the Vincent Van Gogh blue plaque, marking the spot where the world-renowned painter lived in 1876, while he was working as an art teacher.
- Wander along the UK’s only Royal Harbour to discover a wealth of cosy shops, cafes and more, all housed within handsome redbrick arches. From here, you can also take to the waters with Sea Searcher, who offer a variety of different boat tours, including a seal-spotting and wildlife adventure!
- Enjoy a relaxing yoga class at Union, which also happens to be home to a welcoming vegetarian cafe.
- Bike (or walk!) along the Pier to Pier cycle route, which runs from Ramsgate to Deal.
- Use this guide to take yourself on an architecture tour of the town – our particular highlights include the Italianate Glasshouse, Albion House and The Grange, which was once the home of designer Augustus Pugin, known for the magnificent interiors, furnishings and fittings of the Houses of Parliament.
Where to eat in Ramsgate
Whether you want fine dining flair, classic fish and chips or something sweet to finish it all off, here are our top spots for food in Ramsgate….
With locations in Broadstairs, Westgate, Manston and Ramsgate, STAPLE is an artisanal eatery and coffee shop that has garnered a much-deserved and devoted following. Don’t miss their Staple cruffin or croissant wheel. A perfect stop for breakfast or an early-afternoon sweet treat, the Ramsgate branch of Staple is open Monday to Sunday, 8 – 3.
Described by House & Garden as being on the ‘right side of cool,’ Seabird offers a carefully curated menu with a side of deluxe cocktails and Hi-Fi happenings. They also host events such as Supper Clubs and quizzes throughout the summer.
No trip to the coast could possibly be complete without fish and chips. The local chippy of choice is Peter’s Fish Factory, an iconic establishment beside The New Belgium Bar, which also houses a choice of food stands.
Looking to satiate a sweet tooth or indulge in some post-beach bliss? SCOOP is a brand-new (as of July 2025) addition to the local food scene, with the brains behind STAPLE bringing soft-serve deliciousness to 32 York Street.
The Wandering Hut is a solid dinner option, offering moreish Mediterranean dishes such as truffle burgers, moussaka, Greek salad and more. JAH JAH takes things to the other side of the Atlantic, with Caribbean cuisine and delicious rum cocktails.
Where to drink in Ramsgate
Any trip to Ramsgate wouldn’t be complete without trying a tipple in the UK’s largest Wetherspoons. Nicknamed ‘superspoons,’ the Royal Victoria Pavilion is a sprawling seafront structure dating back to 1903. Evolving from a concert hall to a casino to a ‘pub,’ this beautiful building is well worth a visit, and the outdoor terrace is just the place for enjoying a sundowner on a balmy August evening. If intimate and alluring is more your scene, Penelope is a beloved neighbourhood nook dishing out natural wines, live DJ sets and sublime savoury treats – you had us at cheese toastie.
What to see in Ramsgate
Want to simply soak it all up? Here are our top sights to see during your stay in Ramsgate:
- Sunrise from Jacob’s Ladder – perfect at any time of year, but particularly during a winter escape when sunrise isn’t eye-wateringly early.
- Addington Street – home of the town’s annual ‘vintage trail’, Addington Street is also where you’ll find quaint, colourful architecture and those Georgian terraces in London yellow stock.
- The Italianate Glasshouse – because it doesn’t get more quintessentially quaint than a 17th-century, curved greenhouse hosting soundbaths and other events.
Best beaches near Ramsgate
The town itself is home to Ramsgate Main Sands, a pretty golden beach with a long promenade and easy access to the shops, bars, restaurants and facilities throughout the town. Further afield, the other best beaches in the area include Botany Bay (18 mins,) Joss Bay (14 mins) and Sandwich Bay (26 mins). To take a look at the best beaches throughout Kent, check out our guide here.
