RAMSGATE TO MARGATE WALK: 9 BEACHES IN A DAY.
I’m always on the look out for coastal walks, wherever I am in the world. Over the last month, we’ve been in the UK and had the urge to get out on a trail by the sea. This is how I discovered the Ramsgate to Margate walk – an easy day hike, taking in not just one or two, but nine beaches.
This is a fantastic walk that joins the two Kent beach towns of Ramsgate and Margate. It also passes through the charming town of Broadstairs. You can walk in reverse, or shorten the distance by starting in Broadstairs or Botany Bay. A super flexible day out by the sea suitable for most walkers.
In this blog post, you can find out more about our experience of walking from Ramsgate to Margate with a few tips on how to get the best from your day out by the sea.
Can you walk from Ramsgate to Margate?
Yes! You can walk directly from Ramsgate to Margate or vice versa. Along the way you’ll pass Broadstairs, Joss Bay, Botany Bay and more. At between 13-15km, the walk is easily manageable in a day over about three to five hours, depending on your pace.
Can you walk from Margate to Ramsgate?
Yes, this walk can be done in either direction. Either from Ramsgate to Margate or Margate to Ramsgate.
We chose to walk from Ramsgate to Margate as we wanted to end the day in Margate. For us, we think that Margate is a town with more things to do and loads of lovely places to eat and drink. Plus, the transport connections worked out slightly better for us this way.
How long is the walk from Ramsgate to Margate
The walk from Ramsgate to Margate is 8miles/ 13km from the harbour of Ramsgate to Margate Old Town. We walked from Ramsgate Train Station, which adds on an extra couple of kms, making the walk 15km/9.3 miles.
Margate to Ramsgate walk: Tide Times
When you walk from Ramsgate to Margate or vice versa, you’ll want to pay attention to tide times. At low tide, it is often possible to walk directly on the sand. Whereas at high tide, you’ll have to use the coastal path at higher ground.
In reality, tide times don’t cause any significant issues. The route is still passable and there are no sections where you might get “stuck” by the tide. It’s simply a case of low tide = walk on sand, high tide = walk on the path.
There’s no real need for maps or navigation on the Ramsgate to Margate walk. You really are just following the coast.
There are sign posts for “England Coastal Path” along the way to help you too.
As a backup, we used the All Trails App to help us double check when we ought to climb stairs to walk on the cliffs versus where we could walk on lower paths or along the sand.
Can you do this walk with dogs?
Much of the walk is dog friendly, with wide promenades and decent paths where you can walk a dog. There are sections where you’ll walk along or near to a road, albeit briefly. But I’d suggest dogs on leads for this bit.
Unlike bits of the South West coastal path that I’ve walked my dog on before, there aren’t really any steep drops over cliffs to worry about – as the path is a little way back from the edge.
Keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed on some of the beaches from May to September inclusive. So you’ll need to stick to pavement rather than walking on sand.
Can you do this walk with kids?
The walk is quite safe and not too hilly – so should be fine for little walkers. You may want to reduce the distance, perhaps stick to Ramsgate to Broadstairs or similar, depending on abilities.
This would also be an easy walk with babies in carriers. But probably not push chair friendly in it’s entirety – you’ll need to climb stairs a few times.
Where to get refreshments on the Ramsgate to Margate walk
There are plenty of stops along the way to get refreshments.
RAMSGATE: Before you set off, Ramsgate has plenty of places to grab refreshments. Either sit in a cafe, for a traditional English tea and bacon bap or take something away from the bakers. And of course, the Royal Pavilion Wetherspoons breakfast is on offer.
BROADSTAIRS: About 5km in, you’ll find Broadstairs. A selection of eateries are available in this small town. One of the most prominent is Charles Dickens gastro pub, if you want a sit down lunch. An alternative is Viking Bay Cafe on the sand, or Morelli’s Gelato for an ice cream of dreams.
JOSS BAY: Set down on the beach, you’ll find Joss Bay Cafe. Just look out for closing times – often 15:00 or 16:00 and the cafe is not open on a Monday.
KINGSGATE BAY: The Captain Digby pub sits atop the cliff overlooking Kingsgate Bay. A great place for a drink with a view.
BOTANY BAY: Botany Bay Beach Kiosk is a last chance for snacks before reaching Margate.
MARGATE: Margate is the perfect destination for a walk, if you are (like me) food driven! Visit Sargasso Tapas Restaurant on the harbour arm, enjoy a pint of craft beer in Xylo or a Malaysian Curry in The Old Kent Market. For more about where to eat in Margate, you can find our full guide here.
Highlights of the Ramsgate to Margate walk
With nine beaches and three beach towns along the way, there’s a lot to look out for on this walk. Here are my top 5 highlights on route:
1/ RAMSGATE HARBOUR & ROYAL PAVILILION
The harbour area of Ramsgate is lovely and a contrast to some of the more modern parts of the town. Spend time taking in the goings on in the harbour, then check out the row of seafront bars and restaurants – an ideal stop for breakfast.
Now, this wouldn’t be my usual recommendation – but when in Ramsgate. The Royal Pavilion is a Wetherspoons Pub (for any non-Brits reading this, Wetherspoons is a budget pub chain.) The Ramsgate pub is the largest in the UK and set in a lovely art deco building. As this is often voted the best Wetherspoons in England, -it’s worth a look in.
2/ BROADSTAIRS
A little over 5km into the walk, you’ll arrive in Broadstairs. This picture-perfect seaside town is filled with Victorian charm.
Viking Bay is the main beach, and it’s a lovely place to rest your feet, take a dip in the sea, or simply admire the view.
3/ KINGSGATE BAY
A hidden gem along the route, Kingsgate Bay offers a quiet, secluded stop with dramatic cliffs and sea caves. The beach feels wilder and more off-the-beaten-path compared to the busier stops, and its natural beauty makes it one of my favourites.
4/ JOSS BAY
Joss Bay is known for its sandy stretch, popular with surfers and families. It’s another peaceful spot to pause, and if you’re feeling peckish, the Joss Bay Café is conveniently located down on the sand.
5/ MARGATE OLD TOWN
Margate is where the walk finishes (or starts, depending on your direction). The Old Town is a quirky mix of vintage shops, art galleries, and trendy eateries. If you have time, visit the Turner Contemporary gallery or take a leisurely stroll around the harbour.
If you’ve got your swimming stuff, take a dip in one of the two tidal pools and, better yet, follow this with a sauna on the beach!
Forfoodies, Margate has plenty of options to end your day with a bang, whether it’s tapas at Sargasso or a pint of craft beer at Xylo.
Ramsgate to Margate Walk: The 9 beaches
So where are these nine beaches along the way? The map below shows you which beaches you’ll pass on route.
Section One: Ramsgate to Broadstairs walk
Starting from Ramsgate’s historic harbour, this first stretch of the walk is scenic and relatively flat. You’ll walk along the wide promenade with sea views, occasionally veering inland to pass through green spaces.
This section is about 5km and takes you past cliffside gardens and quiet stretches of sand before arriving in Broadstairs.
Look out for Dumpton Gap, a small bay around 1km before Broadstairs.
Section Two: Broadstairs to Joss Bay walk
Leaving Broadstairs behind, the walk begins to feel a little more rugged. After soaking in the vibrant beach scene at Viking Bay, you’ll continue along the clifftop paths towards Joss Bay.
This section is quieter, and the beaches become more secluded. As you approach Joss Bay, you might encounter some surfers catching waves, whatever the weather.
Section Three: Joss Bay to Margate walk
The final stretch of the walk offers stunning views and a peaceful end to the journey. You’ll pass through Kingsgate Bay, where the chalk cliffs form dramatic sea arches, before the landscape opens up towards Margate.
As you near the town, the coastline becomes more built-up, but the anticipation of arriving in Margate’s vibrant Old Town will keep you going.
Don’t forget to look out for Walpole Bay and the tidal pool of the same name – at low tide it is beautiful, but at high tide is barely visible below the waves.
Getting to/from Ramsgate
Ramsgate is easy to reach by train, with direct services from London St Pancras International. The high-speed service from St Pancras takes just under 1.5 hours, making it a great option for a day trip from London. There’s also a slower service from London Bridge/ Charing Cross which takes a little longer.
From the Ramsgate train station, it’s about a 20-30 minute walk downhill to the harbour, where the coastal walk begins.
There are several car parks in Ramsgate, but keep in mind that they may have time limits, if you do want to leave your car all day.
Getting to/from Margate
At the end of the walk if you’ve parked up in Ramsgate, you’ll need to grab a 10 minute train back from Margate. These run regularly.
There are regular train services from Margate station back to London, with the high-speed service taking about 1.5 hours to St Pancras. There is also a slower service via Ashford International to get to stations like London Bridge.
Margate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, so it’s easy to reach after a leisurely afternoon exploring.
Where to stay in Margate
Thinking of making a weekend of it?
You can find our guide to the best things to do and where to stay in Margate here.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
18 best long distance hikes in Europe for June
18 BEST LONG DISTANCE HIKES IN EUROPE FOR JUNE. June is one of the very best months for hiking in Europe. Summer has arrived, the days are long, and most trails are finally free of winter snow. But, if you head out for a long distance hike in Europe, you’ll be beating the crowds of…
19 things to do in Deal for a wonderful weekend
19 THINGS TO DO IN DEAL FOR A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. A trip to the British seaside used to make me think of noisy amusement arcades, salty chips, and overfed seagulls swooping for leftovers – maybe even a stick of rock for the train home. But after visiting Margate last year, I realised the Kent coast…
Walking from Dover to Deal: White Cliffs, Coastal Pubs and Sea Views
WALKING FROM DOVER TO DEAL: WHITE CLIFFS, COASTAL PUBS AND SEA VIEWS. When we are not travelling in Europe, we return to our base in the UK and one of our favourite things to do is to head out on day hikes. My current obsession is the Kent coast and with the Kings Charles III…
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
CHECK LATEST FLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.