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Kent coast seaside villages including Deal and Kingsdown

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The Ultimate Guide to the Kent Coast

Beaches, villages and unforgettable coastal stays

Stretching along England’s south-east edge, the Kent coast is one of the country’s most quietly beautiful seaside regions. From historic harbour towns to peaceful cliff-top villages, this stretch of coastline offers a slower, more thoughtful style of seaside escape.

Here you’ll find wide beaches, charming independent shops, excellent food, dramatic coastal walks and villages that feel wonderfully untouched by time.

For those seeking a restorative UK staycation, the Kent coast offers something special. Whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Deal, enjoying sunset views in Kingsdown, discovering the wild openness of Sandwich Bay, or walking beneath the cliffs of St Margaret’s Bay, each destination offers its own unique atmosphere.

At Foreland Cottages, we curate a collection of beautiful holiday homes across these coastal locations — offering visitors the chance to truly slow down and experience the rhythm of life by the sea.

The Best Seaside Towns on the Kent Coast

Deal

One of Kent’s most loved seaside towns, Deal combines historic character with a relaxed coastal energy. Its long pebble beach stretches alongside elegant Georgian buildings, while the town itself is filled with independent shops, galleries and some of the region’s best restaurants.

Highlights include walking along Deal Pier, exploring the narrow lanes of the old town, browsing antique stores and enjoying a glass of wine at one of the seafront restaurants as the sun sets over the English Channel.

Deal is perfect for those who want the classic British seaside feel with a more refined, boutique atmosphere.

Kingsdown

Just a few minutes south of Deal lies the peaceful coastal village of Kingsdown. This charming village sits directly beside the sea, with colourful beach huts, quiet lanes and uninterrupted views across the water.

Kingsdown is ideal for visitors seeking calm, coastal simplicity. Days here are best spent paddleboarding along the shoreline, exploring rock pools at low tide, enjoying relaxed beach picnics or walking along the coastal path toward Walmer or St Margaret’s Bay.

Evenings often end with sunset drinks by the sea or beach barbecues as the sky turns pink over the Channel.

Sandwich Bay

For those looking for wide open beaches and natural beauty, Sandwich Bay offers one of the most spectacular coastal landscapes in Kent.

Accessed through the historic Sandwich Bay estate, the beach here stretches for miles. When the tide is out, the shoreline becomes vast and sandy — perfect for long walks, quiet picnics or simply enjoying the sound of the sea.

This area is also home to nature reserves, prestigious golf courses and remarkable wildlife, including the famous seal colony that can often be spotted from the nearby river tours.

Sandwich Bay is wonderfully peaceful, with very little commercial development, making it feel beautifully untouched.

St Margarets Bay

Nestled between the famous White Cliffs of Dover, the picturesque village of St Margaret’s Bay offers one of the most dramatic coastal settings in the country.

The beach here sits at the base of towering chalk cliffs, creating a secluded and atmospheric setting. Visitors come for cliff-top walks, cosy seaside pubs and some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in England.

This area perfectly blends coast and countryside, with walking routes that wind through rolling fields before opening onto spectacular sea views.

The Best Beaches on the Kent Coast

The Kent coastline offers a variety of beaches, each with its own character.

Deal Beach
A long pebble shoreline perfect for sunrise swims, sea-air walks and views across the Channel.

Kingsdown Beach
Quiet and wonderfully peaceful, with colourful beach huts and excellent paddleboarding conditions.

Sandwich Bay
One of the largest beaches in Kent. At low tide the sand stretches for miles, creating a truly open coastal landscape.

St Margaret’s Bay
Dramatic cliffs and clear waters make this one of the most scenic beaches along the coast.

Things to Do on the Kent Coast

The Kent coast offers far more than traditional seaside activities. Visitors can fill their days with experiences that combine nature, culture and relaxation.

Coastal Walks
Explore sections of the Saxon Shore Way or walk beneath the famous White Cliffs.  There is a route for everyone from beginners, strollers and advanced hikers.

Paddleboarding & Swimming
The calm waters around Kingsdown and Deal and the bays of St Margarets and Sandwich are perfect for gentle sea adventures.

Rockpooling
At low tide, the rock pools at St Margarets Bay and Kingsdown emerge, delivering hidden spaces to explore.

Seal Watching
River tours from Sandwich offer the chance to see the region’s growing seal colony.

Golf
The area is home to some of the UK’s most prestigious coastal golf courses.

Yoga on the Beach
Yoga on the beach or in a castle is on offer via bookable classes.

Bike Hire
The flat interconnected landscape is perfect for exploring by bike.  Cycle from Sandwich to Kingsdown by flat roads and promenades or, for pros, across the white cliffs into St Margarets.

Boutique Shopping
Deal’s independent shops and galleries offer a refreshing alternative to typical seaside souvenir stores.

Food & Dining
From cosy pubs to award-winning restaurants, the Kent coast has quietly become one of the south-east’s best food destinations.

Art Galleries & Musuems
Independant galleries and museums adorn the Kent streets.

History Hunting
Boasting infamous castles in Deal, Walmer and Dover, history hunters will be spoilt for choice. 

Activity Days
If you like a bit of adventure, wake-boarding, aqua parks, assault courses, axe throwing, geo-caching, fossil hunting and goat walking is all available.

Each of our guests receive a list of tried and tested local loves, near to the property they are staying in – so you can also stay like a local and recharge the Foreland’s way.

A Foreland Way to Spend the Day on the Kent Coast

  • Start the morning with coffee by the sea as the tide rolls in.
  • Take a slow stroll along the beach before the town wakes up.
  • Enjoy a relaxed brunch at one of Kent’s independent cafés before wandering through antique shops and boutiques.
  • Spend the afternoon exploring the coastline – perhaps paddleboarding in Kingsdown, walking the cliffs at St Margaret’s Bay, or discovering the vast beaches of Sandwich Bay.
  • As evening approaches, return to the seafront for sunset drinks overlooking the water, followed by dinner in one of the town’s welcoming restaurants.
  • Then simply return to your cottage, open the windows and let the quiet rhythm of the coast take over.
  • Enjoy a peaceful nights sleep and wake to the sounds of Kent wildlife.
  • Rest, recharge and rejuvenation at its best.

Where to Stay on the Kent Coast

At Foreland Cottages, we offer a carefully curated collection of holiday homes across the Kent coast – each chosen for its comfort, character and location. Whether you’re looking for a romantic seaside retreat, a family coastal escape, a countryside ramble, or a stylish house for gathering with friends, our cottages provide the perfect base for exploring this remarkable coastline.

Our properties are located across:

  • Deal
  • Kingsdown
  • Sandwich Bay
  • St Margaret’s Bay

Each offering easy access to beaches, coastal walks and the many experiences that make the Kent coast so special.

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