Kent, known as “The Garden of England”, has an absolutely stunning coastline. The County of Kent, located in the South East corner of England is home to the dramatic White Cliffs of Dover.  Kent’s delightful shores offer everything from wide sandy beaches to rock pools in secluded coves. According to the Kent County Council: “Kent has one of the longest and most varied coastlines in England.”

Quite impressively, the beaches of Kent have recently been certified with nine Blue Flag Awards by the non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). These international certifications are not easy to come by!  “Beaches are awarded the Blue Flag based on compliance with 32 criteria covering the following: 1) Environmental Education and Information 2) Water Quality 3) Environmental Management 4) Safety and Services. All Blue Flags are awarded for one season at a time. If the criteria are not fulfilled during the season or the conditions change, the Blue Flag may be withdrawn.”

Who better to choose the Top Ten Beaches in Kent than the “Visit Kent” official website?  Here is a sampling of the best beaches in Kent:

Botany Bay, Kent, England (Photo by Le Deluge/Wikimedia Commons)

Botany Bay, Broadstairs (#1): “Botany Bay, one of Broadstairs’ quieter and more secluded sandy bays, can leave you feeling a million miles from anywhere – absolute bliss when you want to laze around and recharge your batteries! Nearby Joss Bay (#4) is more rural than Botany and offers great surfing opportunities.”

Whitstable (#2): “Choose to swim, stroll or sit and enjoy the stunning sunsets on this popular beach. Looking out to sea from Whitstable, the vista feeds the imagination and takes visitors back to another age. And fresh breezes and a taste of
salt in the air whet the appetite for more of the town’s magic.”

Dymchurch, Kent, England (Photo by Ian Dunster/Wikimedia Commons)

Dymchurch (#6): “The sandy beach is the jewel in the Dymchurch crown. Stretching for miles toward Dungeness to the west and Folkestone to the east it is washed completely by the tide twice daily to leave a magnificent gently sloping strip of sand almost a 1/4 mile wide at low tide. This expanse of sand is home to Donkey Rides, Kite Surfers, Sandcastle Builders and those who like to relax.”

Rounding out the Top Ten Beaches in Kent are Deal, Main Sands (Margate), Folkstone, St Margaret’s Bay, Tankerton Slopes (Herne Bay), and Dungeness.

*Find out about Kent’s Coastal Week 2011: “The programme will run from 22 to 30 October and will focus on “Creative Coast” There are up to one hundred free or subsidised events ranging from creative workshops, beach art and boat trips to shingle sculptures and storytelling. There is something for all ages and interests.”*

VisitKent.co.uk has everything you’ll need to plan your days at the Top Ten Beaches in Kent! Cheers!