From estuarine Gravesend to the shingle bank of Dungeness, the Kent coast is a stunning region of the South East of England. It’s a lovely part of the country to take a holiday and, if you enjoy walking, the coast is home to some very beautiful trails indeed. Dotted along the nice beaches in Kent, you will find pleasant towns and villages, so chances are that you will encounter a good restaurant, café or pub to enjoy a rest along the way.
The Kent coast is characterised by the iconic White Cliffs of Dover - an iconic landmark, as well as some excellent sandy beaches. The Isle of Thanet, which makes up the north-east area of the county, is where you can find upmarket holiday destinations like Whitstable and Seasalter, and also the traditional English seaside resorts of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
From town to country, our guide has some lovely suggestions for a Great British coastal walk – whether you're planning to pull on your walking boots or your flip flops, there’s a trail to discover Kent, for you.
Coastal cottages in Kent
England Coast Path – Kent
The Kent section of the England Coast Path stretches all the way from Camber Sands in the south to Ramsgate in the north – it is a whopping 66 miles long in total. It is possible to hike its entire length in a few days and we’d say that it’s well worth the effort.
The Kent section of the national trail begins at Ramsgate Harbour - it threads its way down past Deal, Dover, the White Cliffs of Dover, St Margaret’s at Cliffe, Folkestone, Hythe, Greatstone, and Dungeness before ending up near the west end of Camber Sands where the River Rother meets the sea.
The England Coast Path encompasses a number of other walking trails along its way, past some of the best beaches in Kent, and we will include specific sections in the remainder of this guide to help you decide on where to focus.
Distance: 66 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Facilities: Depending on the section you choose – you can find WCs, parking, and places to eat and drink all along the course of this national trail.
Good to know: Kent is a great county if you enjoy lighthouse bagging. There are about ten around the coast to spot.
Stay nearby: Crinkle Cottage | Sleeps: 4 guests plus 2 dogs
The Contra Trail - Ramsgate to Pegwell Bay
Ramsgate is a seaside resort that sits at the most easterly point of Kent, and it's where you can pick up the 6-mile-long Contra Trail. Linking in with the much longer Isle of Thanet Trail (32 miles) this public footpath to Pegwell Bay takes you through a wonderful diversity of habitats.
It originates in the UK’s only royal harbour, Ramsgate Harbour, then sweeps past the town marina and climbs up to the clifftops just beyond the town centre. You can head into Cliffs End, a network of fascinating caves and tunnels (used since Viking times) in the cliffs, some of which connect local pubs and houses together!
The walk ends at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve which is dominated by wetlands and is known for its birdlife and rare orchids.
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Facilities: WCs, picnic areas, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and parking at Ramsgate, Pegwell and Cliffs End.
Good to know: There is an entrance fee into Pegwell Bay Country Park, but it's well worth venturing in – it’s beautiful.
Stay nearby: Seapoint | Sleeps: 5 guests plus 1 dog
The Royal Military Canal - Hythe
This walk is not strictly a coastal walk, but it is within walking distance of the coast and it is one of the best waterside walks in Kent. Less than a mile from the coast, you can find the 28-mile-long Royal Military Canal, dug by navvies as a defence line during the Napoleonic Wars as coastal protection – so if the country was ever invaded, the troops could fall back to a second obstacle.
Today, you can still walk along much of the canal and the best section is picked up in the coastal town of Hythe. Head to Hythe Railway Station on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RH&D). Adjacent to the station building, you can find the beginning of a level and sealed 2-mile stretch. It is easy to accomplish with small children and dogs, or by wheelchair or mobility scooter.
It’s a pleasant wooded walk, with a few historical remnants along the way like the concrete sound mirrors, an obsolete counter-attack technology that can be seen along the Kent coast.
Distance: 2 miles (each way)
Difficulty: Easy
Good to know: After the walk, visit the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Model Railway in Romney or catch a narrow-gauge steam train down the coast to Dungeness where you'll find some of the most unique Kent beaches.
Facilities: WCs at Hythe Railway Station, parking, and information boards along the path.
Stay nearby: Danny's Cottage | Sleeps: 2 guests
Camber Sands to Dungeness
This Kent coastal walk between Dungeness and Camber is a winner. Even at high tide, Camber Sands on the Sussex border provides one of the best and longest beach walks available in the South East of England. The most westerly stretch is fringed by sand dunes and, although there are seasonal restrictions for dogs, it’s a great place for a run and to exercise the four-legged friend in the off-season - in fact, it's one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent.
The easterly section is even wilder, and this is where kite surfers and surfers head to for some solitude. It’s one of the finest sandy beaches in Kent, with plenty of places to stop and take in your surroundings. Facilities at Camber Sands are good too, as the beach is within walking distance of the village, so there is a small but solid choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs to choose from. You will probably want to return to Camber for a bout of sun worship and relaxation as it is such a good beach.
Dungeness is a large shingle bank, the largest in Europe, where you will find two dramatic lighthouses, fishing boats galore, wild expanses where rare plants grow, designer homes and quaint fishing huts. It’s a dramatic place full of eye-catching and dramatic contrasts; if ever there was a ‘marmite’ place to define your preferences, it’s Dungeness.
Distance: 8 miles (each way)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Facilities: Parking, WCs, small seasonal dog-restriction zone (but huge swathes welcome dogs), access to local amenities, lifeguard service.
Good to know: There is a lifeguard service at the beach during the late spring and summer. The railway is closed on weekdays throughout the winter.
Stay nearby: The Beach Retreat | Sleeps: 4 guests and 2 dogs
White Cliffs of Dover
No trip to the Kent coast would be complete without a visit to the White Cliffs of Dover. This National Trust-managed landmark is an absolute must-see so that you can appreciate the scale of these gigantic chalk cliffs up close. With it being one of the best things to do in Kent, there are several trails up to the cliffs. Look out for the Exmoor ponies that live there, and spot rare orchids like the early spider and lesser-spotted butterflies that favour chalk grasslands.
Full of wild meadows, this seaside walk is so pretty, high above the English Channel, and on clear days you can even see buildings on the French coast! Take a break and watch the ferries cross one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes before heading into one of the two visitor centres (with cafes) at the White Cliffs of Dover.
Distance: Variable
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Facilities: WCs, parking, two visitor centres, some sealed pathways suitable for wheelchairs, dogs welcome but on leads near clifftops.
Good to know: The White Cliffs of Dover are riddled with tunnels that are the remnants of old wars. Some are open to the public.
Stay nearby: Rockmount | Sleeps: 5 guests plus 2 dogs
Map of coastal walks in Kent
Stay in coastal Kent
Come to Kent for a break by the sea. Stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages; we have properties close to some of the top beaches in Kent and long the England Coast Path. Whether you are searching for a small and cosy retreat for you and your partner or are planning a walking holiday with friends and family, we have the perfect property waiting for you to discover in our collection.
Coastal cottages in Kent
