Viking Coastal Trail

The Viking Coastal Trail stretches for 32 miles along Kent's shoreline, connecting Gravesend to Sandwich and passing through Ramsgate. It's a proper walking route rather than a single attraction - you won't find a visitor centre or entrance fee, just a waymarked path that hugs the coast and dips inland through marshland and villages.

Walkers will absolutely love this. The trail takes you past white cliffs, through salt marshes, and along stretches of shingle beach that feel genuinely wild. Ramsgate sits slap in the middle, making it a logical stop for fish and chips or a proper tea break. The whole thing's doable in sections - you could tackle a four-mile loop near Ramsgate in an afternoon, or commit to a day's hike if you're feeling ambitious.

Historically minded types will get a kick out of the name: Viking raids shaped this coast, and the trail passes sites of genuine historical interest, though there's not much handed-to-you interpretation. Families with young kids might find the marshland bits slow-going, but the beach sections work well for a paddle and a picnic.

If you're based at Turners Folly Field or Ham Hideaway Glamping, both within six miles, the trail makes a cracking day out without needing a car. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets rammed with day-trippers, and winter weather can be brutal. Wear proper boots; the path gets muddy.