Is the daily grind getting you down? Hopping on to a sardine-packed tube every morning gets tiresome after a while, doesn’t it? What you need is a weekend break away from it all. Leave the smog, smoke, traffic and crowds of London and head for somewhere totally different.
I am not talking about city breaks in Prague, Barcelona, Paris or Amsterdam – I’m thinking of somewhere much closer to home. A place where you can re-charge your batteries with bracing walks along the cliffs, stuff your face with delicious fish and chips and enjoy the atmosphere and buzz of a typically British seaside town. Forget Blackpool, Brighton, St Ives and Great Yarmouth – today we are talking about beautiful Broadstairs in Kent.
The perfect thing for Londoners about Broadstairs is that you don’t have to spend much time travelling there. For Londoners, any time spent on public transport is considered a bit of a chore, so it’s great news that Broadstairs is so close. From central London the train journey of seventy-six miles can take an hour and twenty minutes if you get the direct route from St Pancras International. So, in under two hours you can be transported from city chaos to coastal calm in wonderful East Kent.
Sound tempting?
Seaside charm
Unplugging from a hectic London schedule is simple in Broadstairs. With around eight award winning Blue Flag beaches to choose from, long walks, surfing, sailing, angling, kite surfing and wind surfing can all be enjoyed. If you prefer gentler pursuits like making sand castles, devouring Knickerbocker Glories or listening to a traditional brass band on the bandstand, Broadstairs can deliver these, too.
A stroll along the promenade in this Victorian era resort will soon explain why it has been such a popular place for so long. With its fine Edwardian and Victorian architecture, colourful beach huts and quirky independent shops, it’s a refreshing change from the monotony of many British towns.
Explore the area
Broadstairs is perched on the cliffs of East Kent, nestled between Ramsgate and Margate. This vibrant part of the country is an interesting place to explore and it is recommended to check out the area during your stay. To arrange transport for private hire Broadstairs is well served with taxi operators who can help you to explore the local area. Why not catch the latest art exhibition at Turner Contemporary in Margate? Or those interested in the seafaring history of the area could visit Ramsgate Maritime Museum. There is a lot to see and do in the area and for arranging transport for private hire Broadstairs makes the ideal base from which to explore.
Festival fun
Broadstairs hosts a folk festival in August which attracts music lovers from far and wide. A food festival in October celebrating delicious local fare and produce, tempts many gourmands to the area. One of the famous people linked to Broadstairs is the novelist Charles Dickens. Bleak House, overlooking Viking Bay, is said to be where he wrote his famous book David Copperfield. A Dickens literary festival takes place each June in the town. If you are a fan of dressing up in period costume, why not come and join the fun? Broadstairs during the Dickens festival is awash with folk dressed in Dickensian style, just like something out of a Victorian novel!
Hospitality hints
Turning up in Broadstairs from London, you will need somewhere to stay. As you would expect there are many traditional seaside Bed and Breakfast establishments lined up to offer you typical, nostalgia-edged hospitality. Tucking in to a full English breakfast or even a continental style brekker is totally possible in the wide range of accommodations on offer. You will even find a vegetarian B&B in central Broadstairs as well.There are some grand hotels and elegant boutique places if you want to splurge a little on the budget. Those who prefer independent accommodation have a huge choice of self catering cottages and flats to choose from that enable you to come and go as you please. If you visit in the winter or off-season, look around for special deals and rates for quieter periods.
A visit to Broadstairs is just the re-boot a jaded London city dweller needs. The combination of bracing sea air, great views, food, walks and surroundings is just the reminder you need that there is a whole world out there that has nothing to do with hard work and the daily grind. Why not forget it all for the weekend and head to beautiful Broadstairs?