| Product: |
Broadstairs |
| Date: |
18.01.03 (1109 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Got characteristic, Beautiful town
Disadvantages: Bit too old
Broadstairs is a very quiet and small town located in the South-East of England. It is situated in Kent and the local council are named 'Broadstairs and St Peters'. It is often a place that gets missed by people visiting the other local towns such as Margate, Ramsgat, Minster, Birchington, Monkton and Sarre. There are many ways to get to Broadstairs, and if they enlarged Manston Airport, then you might even be able to fly there from your home airport. To get there by road from London, you simply take the A2, M2 and then A299 (Thanet Way). You can get there by train from Victoria Station, and by coach also from Victoria.
The town is very appealing to families because of the lovely sandy beaches. Obviously it is not as exotic, but with an ice cream in one hand and your sun parasol in the other, you would never know the difference! Broadstairs is made up of seven beaches and bays.
The most popular beach has to be Viking Bay. It has a picturesque harbour, half moon shaped beach and each access to many other local attractions. When the tide is low, there is even a small tidal paddling pool that is an added bonus if you have children and want to keep them within easy reach. The tidal pool is located amidst the rocks between Viking Bay and Louise Bay. The main bay is patrolled during the summer months, along with Botany Bay and Joss Bay. The whole area is full of underground tunnels, dug by smugglers in the 18th and 19th centuries. The annual water gala is held in Viking Bay every August, and a massive firework display happens every Wednesday during the popular season.
If you want to visit more secluded places then there are plenty of cliff top walks for you to enjoy. 'The 39 Steps', a book written by John Buchan was set in Broadstairs. Many other authors such as Charles Dickens and Frank Richards (creator of Billy Bunter) have set their novels here.
There are some quaint fisherman cottages next to the harb
our. A typical examp
le of 'old Broadstairs' is a small cul-de-sac at the bottom of the High Street. You can taste some of the best seafood in the region at this harbour, particularly from the seafood stands or in the restaurants. The harbour supports only a small number of fishing boats nowadays, because the majority of people wanting to go out to sea, do it for pleasure and not for profit. There is a white wooden boathouse at the start of the jetty, which hosts the harbour master. There is a lighthouse at North Foreland Headland, which has been there since 1499, and is currently the oldest working lighthouse in England. The lighthouse is there to warn boats of the sands that occur from Broadstairs to Dover.
One of the most noted occasions in this area has to be the Dickens Festival. It is held annually to celebrate the connections it had with the famous writer. Many of the people dress up in fancy dress, such as Victorian outfits from his era. The festival lasts for approximately eight days, and souvenir guides are on sale throughout. Charles Dickens wrote 'David Copperfield' from 1837 onwards whilst he was in town. He lived in Bleak House, which has now been made into a museum. Costs for entry into the museum are relatively cheap because it is government funded.
From the 8th to the 15th of August 2003, Broadstairs are having a folk week, which looks fairly interesting. The Tourist Information Office telephone number is 01843 862242, for more details.
There are many other local attractions too such as Dreamland Fun Park which is full of traditional rides, like a fairground. The tudor house in Margate dates back to the 16th century, and the exterior is unique. A shell grotto full of millions of shells has wonderful mosaics inside. There is a model village in Ramsgate, and a motor museum along with a Maritime museum.
There are many places to stay in and around Broadstairs. With a wide range of
guesthouses, hotels, caravanning and camping parks etc. there will be no excuse for you not to be here. The Victoria is a fantastic hotel to stay in. 23 Victoria Parade, Tel: 01843 871010, Fax: 01843 860888. It is open all year round, all bedrooms are en suite, and rooms are based on bed and breakfast only.
Broadstairs is great place to visit, so if you are in the area, don't bypass it!
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