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Category: Local information and excursions

TURNER CONTEMPORARY: A modern, calming art space by the sea.

Opened in 2011, and named after the famous artist who spent so much time in Margate, this light and airy gallery is a great place to visit in all weathers. It is free to enter (donation appreciated), and the main exhibition changes every few months. As well as the works of art on display, often […]

SANDWICH: Historic charm

Sandwich is a charming town just 15 kilometres from Broadstairs. We often go here as part of a Friday afternoon visit, or you can easily reach it independently by train. It’s a small town but has some really interesting little shops and cafes, and it’s very pleasant to walk around the narrow streets with quirky […]

BRIGHTON: One of our favourite Saturday trips

Brighton is a fantastic destination for a day out, with its vibrant cultural mix and its varied arts and music scene. Here you will find modern shopping centres alongside unusual boutiques and small specialist shops in the old, historic lanes of the old town (known as ‘The Lanes’). Something you really should  see when you […]

Broadstairs Dickens Festival

Broadstairs Dickens Festival takes place every June, and lasts for about a week. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a ‘Victorian’ while you’re having your coffee or buying a sandwich! The streets are full of people in Victorian costume, many representing characters from the novels of Charles Dickens.   Charles Dickens visited Broadstairs in […]

HEVER CASTLE, Kent

Hever Castle is in our home county of Kent, about 80 miles/130 km from Broadstairs, so easy for a day out. The castle dates back 700 years in parts,and was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII (He had six in total!). It has 125 acres of beautiful gardens, two […]

WALMER CASTLE: The lovely gardens make this castle special.

Walmer Castle  dates back to the time of Henry VIII (1491 – 1547) and was originally built as a defence fortress, but has evolved into a homely residence for many well-known names from the Duke of Wellington to the Queen Mother. Inside you can explore Wellington’s career, the story of his life and death and even […]

CANTERBURY: An historic city just a short train ride away.

Canterbury is a fascinating city, with hundreds of years of history – in fact, it dates back to Roman times. The impressive cathedral has been a place of worship for more than 1,400 years, and is the ‘headquarters’ of the Anglican Church (The Archbishop of Canterbury is the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion). Pilgrims […]

WESTWOOD CROSS SHOPPING CENTRE, Broadstairs

Broadstairs may be a small town, but you don’t have to travel far to do some serious shopping! Just outside the town (with great bus links) is  Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, with over 50 stores including Primark, TK Maxx, Marks and Spencer, HMV, Next and The Body Shop. Food and drink outlets include Costa Coffee, […]

DOVER CASTLE

This week’s Friday afternoon trip is to DOVER CASTLE, about 40 minutes from Broadstairs by coach. Dover Castle, ONLY 40 minutes by road from Broadstairs, is a magnificent medieval castle positioned on the famous White Cliffs of Dover, and overlooking the Channel towards France. It was founded in the 11th century and has been described […]