Margate to Ramsgate Walk [Complete Guide & Map]

Should you walk from Margate to Ramsgate or Ramsgate to Margate? Honestly, you can’t go wrong either way. This coastal walk is one of the most popular hikes in Kent and for good reason. I’ve done this route twice, once in each direction, and both were incredible. Ramsgate is definitely the prettier finish, but Margate wins when it comes to food stop … so it really depends on what matters most to you!

This walk is really beginner-friendly: it is a fairly flat walk and you do not need a map as you are following the coastline. For the purpose of this guide, I’ll be describing the route from Margate to Ramsgate.

Logistique de la marche de Margate à Ramsgate

Margate to Ramsgate Walk Map (en anglais)

Do you want to do this walk? Download the GPS map for free by clicking on the button below. Learn how to upload it onto your navigation app by following my step-by-step guide.

Points forts de la promenade de Margate à Ramsgate

Marche de Margate à Ramsgate

Maintenant que nous avons couvert les bases, passons à la marche !

Margate

Margate started as a small fishing village on the Kent coast before becoming one of England’s most famous seaside resorts. The town’s name is believed to come from “Meregate”, meaning “gate by the sea”, first recorded in the 13th century.

During the 18th century, Margate became hugely popular with wealthy Londoners looking for fresh sea air and sea bathing, which was believed to have health benefits at the time. Thanks to its sandy beach and easy access from London by boat along the Thames, the town quickly developed into a fashionable holiday destination. One of Margate’s most iconic attractions was the arrival of the seaside amusement park Dreamland in the late 19th century. 

Like many British seaside towns, Margate declined in popularity during the late 20th century as cheap overseas holidays became more accessible.

Contenu connexe : Camber Sands Beach Walk

As you leave Margate railway station, head downhill towards the seafront where the walk begins at Margate Main Sands. This wide sandy beach is the heart of Margate and one of the town’s most popular spots in summer, with tidal pools, traditional seaside amusements and children’s rides lining the promenade. The beach was awarded Blue Flag status in 2018, recognising its high environmental and water quality standards.

The Viking Trail

The Viking Coastal Trail is a 32-mile (51 km) circular walking and cycling route that loops around the Isle of Thanet on the Kent coast, connecting Reculver to Pegwell Bay via Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

The trail takes its name from the Viking invasions that once took place along this stretch of coastline. In 865 AD, the Isle of Thanet became an important landing point for Viking forces, who used the area as a strategic base because Thanet was still separated from mainland Kent by the Wantsum Channel at the time.

Contenu connexe: Sandwich à Offrir Promenons

Today, the route is known for its spectacular coastal scenery, sandy bays, chalk cliffs and traditional seaside towns. One of the reasons the trail is so popular is its accessibility. The paths are generally well-maintained and relatively flat, making sections like the Margate to Ramsgate walk suitable for beginners, families and casual walkers looking for an easy seaside hike from London.

Walpole Bay to Botany Bay

Continuing along the coastline, the walk soon reaches Walpole Bay, home to one of the largest tidal pools in the UK. Built in the 1930s, the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is a vast seawater lido that becomes fully visible at low tide and remains a popular spot for wild swimming today.

From here, the path continues along the clifftops to Botany Bay. This bay is instantly recognisable for its dramatic white chalk cliffs and towering sea stacks rising out of the sea. At low tide, you can head down onto the sandy beach to explore the rock pools hidden beneath the cliffs, making it one of the best places on the walk for a short detour.

The bay also has a fascinating smuggling history. During the 18th century, smugglers are said to have used the secluded coves and caves to bring contraband ashore along the Kent coast.

Kingsgate Bay to Joyce Bay

As the walk continues along the coastline, you soon arrive at Kingsgate Bay, one of the most famous and picturesque bays along this stretch of the Kent coast. Surrounded by white chalk cliffs, the bay is particularly known for its impressive sea caves, which are considered some of the finest in the country and can be explored at low tide.

The bay takes its name from King Charles II, who is said to have landed here in 1683 during a storm. Following his arrival, the area became known as “Kingsgate”, replacing its former name, Bartholomew Gate.

Overlooking the bay is the striking Kingsgate Castle. Despite its medieval appearance, the castle was actually built in the 1760s by Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, and originally served as a country residence rather than a defensive fortress. Over the years, it has served as a private residence, a hotel and later luxury apartments, while remaining one of the most distinctive landmarks on the Thanet coastline.

Just beyond Kingsgate Castle, the path leads to Joss Bay, a beautiful sandy cove sheltered by towering chalk cliffs. This 200-metre beach is one of the most popular surfing spots in Kent thanks to its consistent waves and wide stretch of sand.

The bay is believed to be named after Joss Snelling, an infamous 18th-century smuggler who operated along the Kent coast. According to local legend, he used the surrounding caves and hidden coves to store contraband brought ashore under the cover of darkness.

Continuing south, the walk reaches Stone Bay, a quieter and more peaceful bay lined with colourful beach huts. From here, the promenade gradually leads into the traditional seaside town of Broadstairs,.

Broadstairs

We finally arrive at Broadstairs where we stop for lunch on the beach.

The history of Broadstairs dates back to medieval times, when the area was known as “Bradstowe”, meaning “broad place”, referring to the wide bay below the cliffs. Long before it became a popular seaside resort, Broadstairs was an important religious site thanks to the Shrine of Our Lady, a chapel overlooking the sea that attracted pilgrims and sailors from across the country.

By the 17th and 18th centuries, Broadstairs had developed into a busy fishing and maritime town, but it also became closely associated with smuggling. Like much of the Kent coast, Broadstairs was ideally positioned for illegal trade with mainland Europe, particularly France. Tea, tobacco, spirits and other contraband were secretly brought ashore through hidden coves, tunnels and chalk caves beneath the cliffs. Many of these caves still exist today, adding to the town’s folklore and maritime character.

During the early 19th century, Broadstairs began transforming into a fashionable seaside destination. Steamships made travel from London much faster, bringing increasing numbers of visitors seeking fresh sea air and coastal holidays. However, Broadstairs did not receive its own railway station until 1863. Before then, travellers relied heavily on coach services connecting the town to nearby railway links, particularly the pioneering railway at Whitstable.

The Victorian era brought rapid growth to the town, attracting wealthy visitors, writers and artists. Charles Dickens became one of Broadstairs’ most famous admirers and spent many summers here.

One of its most iconic landmarks arrived in 1932 with the opening of Morelli's Gelato. Founded by an Italian family, the ice cream parlour became famous for bringing authentic Italian gelato culture to the Kent coast and remains one of Broadstairs’ most beloved institutions today, still retaining its beautiful retro interior dating from the 1950s.

Ramsgate

Finally, we cross King George Park, the only part of the walk which is not on concrete and end our walk in Ramsgate.

Ramsgate began as a small fishing and farming community on the Isle of Thanet. The town’s name is believed to come from “Hraefn’s Geat”, meaning “Raven’s Gate”, likely referring to a gap or inlet in the cliffs used as a landing place.

In the 18th century, Ramsgate’s fortunes changed dramatically with the construction of the Royal Harbour, a title granted by King George IV in 1821. Work began in 1749 and was completed around 1850.

Ramsgate also played an important role in Britain’s naval history. During the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars, the harbour served as a strategic military base. Most famously, in 1940, Ramsgate Harbour became one of the main departure points for the “Little Ships” involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.

The arrival of the railway in the 19th century brought large numbers of tourists from London, helping Ramsgate grow into one of England’s most popular seaside destinations. Nowadays, unlike some seaside towns that became heavily commercialised, Ramsgate has retained much of its historic charm. 

Où manger

If you finish the walk in Ramsgate, I’d recommend stopping for drinks at Bar des Mariners, a cosy nautical-themed bar overlooking the seafront.

If you end the walk in Margate instead, grab a takeaway fish and chips from Bus Café and enjoy it on the beach. They offer some of the most creative fish and chips flavours I’ve come across, the perfect way to end a seaside walk.

Bon appétit!

Final Thoughts on the Margate to Ramsgate Walk

If you enjoyed this route, make sure to check out my guide to the Best Coastal Walks near London, where I share even more seaside hikes featuring cliffs, beaches, historic towns and stunning sea views.

Cette promenade vous plaît ? Épinglez-la !