Minnis Bay Beach

A sheltered crescent of sand and shingle that catches the afternoon sun rather better than most Thanet beaches. Minnis Bay sits just west of Ramsgate, backed by low cliffs and a modest promenade with a handful of cafes and ice cream vans. It's the sort of place where families actually relax instead of spending the afternoon battling for space.

Swimming is straightforward here - the beach slopes gently and the water's reasonably clear on decent days. There's proper beach space between the tide marks, which means you're not jammed against someone else's windbreak. The bay faces north, so it's protected from the worst southwesterly winds that hammer other stretches of the coast. Rock pools appear at low tide if you're patient, though they're not spectacular.

Walkers should allow an hour to properly explore the beach and poke about the base of the cliffs. The promenade connects into a decent coastal path heading towards Ramsgate, and you can easily combine this with a visit to Ramsgate's harbour and seafront if you're basing yourself nearby. For a park holiday, Birchington Vale Holiday Park sits just 2.3 miles away, making Minnis Bay an obvious lazy-day option without needing to venture far.

Is it worth the detour? Only if you're already in the area. It's a solid, unpretentious beach where the crowds thin out compared to Ramsgate proper. Bring a book. You might actually get through a chapter.