Broadstairs

Broadstairs is a coastal town and civil parish in the Thanet district of Kent, England. It lies on the east coast of the Isle of Thanet, between Ramsgate to the west and Margate to the north. The town developed as a seaside resort in the 19th century with the arrival of the railway and remains a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers. It has a population in the tens of thousands.

The name Broadstairs is commonly said to derive from a broad flight of steps that once led down to the sea from the harbour. The town is known for its beaches, especially Viking Bay, which fronts a sandy shore and a seafront promenade. Nearby coves include Botany Bay to the east and Joss Bay to the west.

Bleak House, a cliff-top villa associated with Charles Dickens, is preserved as a museum in the town. Dickens visited Broadstairs regularly in the 1830s and 1840s, and the town maintains links through heritage displays and annual events. The coast features chalk cliffs, and the nearby North Foreland lighthouse is a local landmark.

Popular cultural events include the Broadstairs Dickens Festival in June and Broadstairs Folk Week in August. The town’s seafront and historic core contribute to its tourism economy, alongside shops, pubs and restaurants.

Broadstairs is served by Broadstairs railway station on the Southeastern network, with services to Ramsgate, Margate and London via connections. Road access is provided by the A256 and surrounding routes, and regular bus services connect the town with surrounding towns on the Isle of Thanet.