Should we walk from Margate to Ramsgate or from Ramsgate to Margate? Whichever way you want to do this walk, it is one of the most popular hikes on the South Coast and a MUST-DO! I did it twice, once in each direction, and there is no better route. While Ramsgate is much prettier, the food was better in Margate … so it’s all about what you prefer! For the purpose of this post, I will be doing the walk from Margate to Ramsgate.
Logistique de la marche de Margate à Ramsgate
- DistanceDurée : 9,30 miles (15km)
- Montée: 144 ft (44m)
- Estimation de la marche: 3 heures et 45 minutes
- Difficulté: Facile
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Trains au départ de Londres St Pancras. Je vous recommande d'acheter un billet aller-retour pour Margate.
- Vous pouvez descendre à Ramsgate si vous faites la promenade à partir de Ramsgate.
- Ce qu'il faut emporter:
- Vêtements confortables, paires de baskets (le sentier est en béton, je ne recommande donc pas de prendre vos chaussures de randonnée pour cette promenade),
- crème solaire, lunettes de soleil et couvre-chef car le sentier est exposé
- Sac à dos avec de l'eau (2 litres recommandés) et des en-cas
- Informations complémentaires :
- Des toilettes publiques sont disponibles à Broadstairs, dans les jardins Victoria.
- Il s'agit d'une promenade sans marches
- Cette promenade est accessible aux chiens
- Où manger:
- Arrêt glace à Morelli's, Broadstairs
- Le fish & chips traditionnel est à emporter à l'hôtel Café du bus, Margate
- Poissons et frites d'origine locale avec une bière à l'hôtel. Bar des Mariners, Ramsgate
Points forts de la promenade de Margate à Ramsgate
- La piste des Vikings
- Margate
- Broadstairs
- Ramsgate
- 11 plages et baies
- Château de Kingsgate
- Eat at Morelli’s Gelato
Marche de Margate à Ramsgate
Start of the Viking trail
Margate is a seaside town in Kent. It is well known since the Middle Ages for its port. It then became a favourite destination of holidaymakers in the eighteenth century, only to go into decline in the late twentieth century. Many attempts Have been made to try and revive the local economy.
As we come out of the station we walk down towards the beach. 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. We start the walk at Margate Main Sands. This is the main beach in Margate where you can find tidal pools, children’s rides and other amusements. The beach was the winner of the Blue Flag Award in 2018.
Contenu connexe : Camber Sands Beach Walk
Walpole Bay to Joss Bay
We continue our walk along the coast and arrive at Walpole Bay with its massive tide pool. We then walk along the Viking trail and pass above Botany Bay. This bay is easily recognisable by its tall chalk rocks coming out of the sea. Fun fact: the music video of “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes was shot on this bay.
As we keep walking, we arrive at Kingsgate Bay which is the most famous bay on the Viking Trail. It is well known for its sea caves which are said to be among the best in the country. The name of the bay comes from Charles II who landed here in 1683 and ordered for the name to be changed. Overlooking the bay, we find Kingsgate Castle. The castle was built in the 1760s for Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland and was later converted into 31 flats in the 1990s.
Right after Kingsgate Castle, we find Joss bay. This 200m baked sand beach is perfectly sheltered by the chalk cliffs. The bay was named after Joss Snelling, an eighteenth-century smuggler.
Last but not least is Stone Bay, with its line of beach huts leading to Broadstairs.
Broadstairs to Ramsgate
We finally arrive at Broadstairs where we stop for lunch on the beach. Broadstairs is known as the “Jewel of Thret’s Crown”. The name Broadstairs comes from a set of stairs in the chalk going from the beach up to St Mary’s Chapel.
After lunch, we could not resume our adventures without stopping at Morelli's ice cream parlour. The shop was opened in 1958 by Giuseppe and his son Mario who emigrated from Italy in 1907. With ice cream in hand, we go back on the Viking trail, passing in front of Louisa Bay and its bouncy castle.
Finally, we cross King George Park, the only part of the walk which is not on concrete and end our walk in Ramsgate. Once a fishing hamlet, Ramsgate has now grown into one of the largest marinas in England. Its main beach, Ramsgate Main Sands, is the perfect place for a family to get together.
Où manger
If you end the walk in Ramsgate, I would advise you to go for drinks at The Mariners nautical-themed bar on the seafront. If you end the walk in Margate, I highly recommend you go for a takeaway fish & chips at the Café du bus and eat it on the beach! They have the most amazing fish & chips “flavours” I have seen. Bon appetit!
Margate to Ramsgate walk map
Looking for more beginner-day walks? You might like
Boucle de Kingston : Une promenade parfaite par temps ensoleillé
La forêt d'Epping : Une promenade accessible en métro
D'Orpington à Knockholt : Une promenade facile le dimanche
Cette promenade vous plaît ? Épinglez-la !
