Enhance Your Wellbeing on Kent's Coast
- Richard
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
'The Social Value of Tourism', a new report by Visit England, states that domestic tourism positively impacts personal wellbeing. Almost 79% of people surveyed felt more positive after travelling in the UK and 71% felt healthier or more replenished after their trip. The report can be found at www.visitbritain.org/social-value-tourism.
If you're looking to take a break in the UK this year, here are five top tips for a wellness break on the Isle of Thanet and its coastal towns Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. This is a place people have been escaping to for more than 200 years, for the laidback seaside vibe, breathtaking sandy beaches, fresh sea air and romantic Turner skies.
Get active outdoors
With 19 miles of coastline and 16 beaches and bays, 12 boasting Blue Flag or Seaside Awards this year, the Isle is perfect for refreshing seaside adventures. Walk the King Charles III England Coast Path or cycle the Viking Coastal Trail, much of which is along seafront promenades. Enjoy the closest surfing beaches to London at Joss Bay or Viking Bay in Broadstairs, or kitesurfing at Minnis Bay in Birchington. Lessons and equipment hire are available. Active Ramsgate showcases cycle tours, birdwatching walks, geocaching, boat trips and more.
Feel amazing by the sea
Wellbeing comes naturally on the Isle of Thanet coast. Rejuvenate with a seaside sauna session at Margate's Main Sands or take a refreshing dip in the UK's largest tidal pool at Walpole Bay. Unwind with outdoor yoga and pilates by the waves at Stone Bay's new-to-the-beach-scene HunkyDory Fitness and Lifestyle. Their classes encourage and promote self-reliance, inner and outer strength and mobility in mind and body. Seaweed from the Isle of Thanet coastline is used in sustainable skincare and fragrance products by People Care, Planet Care (formerly Haeckels). Products are available at their Margate shop, home to Haeckels House and its thalassotherapy treatment rooms.
Enjoy fresh-air family fun
Take a break from electronic devices and create unforgettable family moments; the beach is a sensory playground that encourages creativity and imagination whatever your age. Hire a Coastal Explorer Pack—just £5 for at least half-a-day of beachside discovery and hands-on fun such as exploring rockpools, identifying marine life, making sundials and uncovering local stories. Observing marine life can foster a deeper appreciation for nature and the environment. Join a Seashore Safari with the Thanet Coast Project and explore the rocky chalk shore for its fascinating rockpool life, with help on hand to identify your finds. Seashore Safaris take place during July and August and last two hours. They are suitable for 4 to 14 year olds and all the family, with a suggested donation of £2.50 per person. It's memory-making magic by the sea!
Go with the flow
Immerse yourself in the Isle's natural landscape - blue seas, white cliffs and golden sands - and let it inspire you to create. These are the landscapes that once inspired Turner, Dickens, and Van Gogh, and they can ignite your imagination too. Try your hand at painting, pottery, photography, glasswork and more in welcoming local studios, or explore bold galleries bursting with coastal flair. Visit the latest exhibition at Turner in Margate, and take the opportunity to admire 'Waves Breaking on a Lee Shore at Margate (Study for 'Rockets and Blue Lights')' part of a year-long festival celebrating 250 years since the birth of JMW Turner. The gallery is named after the artist and is built near to the site where he lodged with his landlady and later companion, Sophia Booth.
Wherever possible, visitors are encouraged to use public transport. Southeastern's highspeed service from London's St. Pancras International Station reaches Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate in 90, 85 and 75 minutes respectively. Southeastern has recently announced that extra trains have been scheduled for the summer. Trains connect the area's three towns and villages - www.southeasternrailway.co.uk
Stagecoach's The Loop bus service connects the towns, with buses running approximately every 10 minutes - www.stagecoachbus.com. Until September, you can enjoy their open top bus (service 69) between Ramsgate's Boating Pool and Stone Bay in Broadstairs - www.stagecoachbus.com/thanetopentop
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