Where to Stay on the Kent Coast
Five distinctive locations, each with its own character, from a buzzing Georgian seafront to a private coastal estate.
This stretch of the Kent coast between Sandwich and St Margaret’s Bay is one of the most varied and rewarding in the country. Within fifteen miles of coastline you have a world-class food scene, three Open Championship golf courses, the White Cliffs of Dover, a private coastal estate, medieval towns, clifftop wildflowers and some of the finest walking in England, all connected by a coastal path you can follow on foot from one end to the other. Each of our areas has its own distinct character. Choosing between them depends on what kind of holiday you’re looking for. Here’s our honest guide to each one.
Our Favourite Places to Stay on the Kent Coast
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DEAL -> The most vibrant of our locations. A beautiful Georgian seafront, an independent high street, a historic pier and beaches in both directions. Deal has an energy and a food scene that punches well above its size.
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WALMER -> Blending seamlessly into Deal via a coastal promenade, Walmer has a quieter, pace. Coffee on the beach, yoga, paddling pools, castles and bike rides happen here.
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KINGSDOWN -> The kind of village that guests stumble upon and immediately wish they’d booked to stay in. Beachside eateries, wildflowers, and clifftop walks happen here with Deal in easy reach.
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ST MARGARETS BAY ->A sheltered chalk cove cut into the White Cliffs between Dover and Kingsdown. Eateries at the water’s edge, the Pines Garden, South Foreland Lighthouse and walks over the infamous White Cliffs.
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SANDWICH BAY -> Royal St George’s and Prince’s Golf Club on the doorstep. Wide open sands, a bird observatory, and deep quiet. Perfect for recharging.
On the map
DEAL
WALMER
KINGSDOWN
SANDWICH BAY
SANDWICH
ST MARGARETS
Walmer Castle
Deal Castle
Deal Pier
Princes Golf Club
Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Kingsdown Golf Club
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory
Dover Castle
Deal Town Centre
The Zetland Pub
The Coastguard Pub
Sandwich Town Centre
Not Sure Which Area?
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose:
- If you want the best food scene: Deal. There are a lot of eateries to choose from including; The Rose, The Blue Pelican, 81 Beach, The Lane and Deal Pier Kitchen.
- If you want the quietest beach: Sandwich Bay. Wide, open and almost always uncrowded.
- If you want the best walking: St Margaret’s Bay, with walking routes to the Saxon Shore Way and the White Cliffs.
- If you want a golf getaway: Sandwich Bay for Royal St George’s and Prince’s on the doorstep, Deal for Royal Cinque Ports and Kingsdown for Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club.
- If you want a village feel: Kingsdown for the most removed and unhurried experience, or Walmer for village character with Deal in touching distance.
- If it’s a couples break: Any of our areas are exceptional for a weekend retreat just the two of you.
- If you’re bringing the dog: All areas welcome dogs. Sandwich Bay beach, St Margarets and the Kingsdown clifftop walk are particularly brilliant for dogs who love space.
- If you’re bringing children: Deal and Walmer have the most to keep families busy.
- If you want an activity-packed stay: Deal and Walmer with beach yoga, bike hire, Deal parkrun, paddleboarding off the beach, adventure golf and Whitemills near Sandwich for wakeboarding, an aqua park and sauna.
- If you want a quiet restorative stay: All of our areas offer rest and recharge but if you want pure recharge St Margarets and Kingsdown and for silence its Sandwich Bay.
The Coastline Connects Them All
One of the things that makes this collection special is that all areas are connected by the coastal path. You can walk from Sandwich Bay to St Margaret’s Bay along the shore and the clifftops without getting in a car. Many guests base themselves in one area and walk to the others during their stay. We include walking routes in every guest day pack and you can always ask us for help if you have a specific trail in mind.
