Trotter’s day out

Broadstairs to Margate, Kent
Route by Will Watt, ABOVE BELOW

In the right conditions this is a great day out on the best bays and beaches of the Kent coast from the Victorian resort of Broadstairs where Dickens lived to the bleeding edge, hipster seaside town that is Margate where you can watch a turner sunset from the cobb with a pint and fish and chips (or sourdough bread and cockles in vinaigrette).

Location: Kent, England
Total distance: 8km
Above distance (hike, run): 4 miles
Below distance (swim): 2-3 miles
A (start): Viking Bay
B (finish): Margate Cobb
Duration: Day trip
Difficulty: Strong swimming required

Before you set off, please read our safety guide and blog post on the risks of biosecurity. And here is our recommended kit list.

NEED TO KNOW

Start: directions and timings
Start in Viking Bay, 15 minutes walk from Broadstairs train station. At the back of the cobb are a number of safe steps and jetties that go out into the sea. Or you can walk along the beach to the end of Stone bay to make the first swim shorter by 1km or so. Time the swim to start with high tide at Dover or Broadstairs. 

Terrain: 
Above: very simple, there is a main coastal trail path, the Viking Trail, that goes all the way to Margate that you get on and off to go down to bays, beaches and tidal pools. After Botany Bay there is also a walk along the bottom of the cliffs all the way to the Turner Art Gallery in Margate

Below: it’s the sea so the main thing to bear in mind is the wind and swell conditions. The tidal flow here is relatively simple from left to right or right to left as you look at the sea. The sea is relatively shallow and so swimming on high tide is the only way to avoid the spits that run out from different headlands - it can feel a little choppy swimming over these so it is best to swim as far out from the shore as you feel able  - at least 100m

Safety - extra things to look out for: The beaches all have lifeguards in the summer (May to September), so worth letting the first one you see know what you are doing, they can radio ahead to the other beaches to look out for you. There’s also Margate Coastguard based at Walpole Bay. Let them know too if you can, a quick call on the day or day before.

Extra kit: Over and above the Above Below kit list here a safety whistle is very important as you are near lifeguards and beaches. Water shoes of some sort a good idea if you have to exit. 

Highlights - the nice bits to look out for
Above: Broadstairs Cobb is good for a cup of tea before you start. Joss Bay also has a cafe half way and Botany Bay has a pub and cafe. At Walpole Bay there is the eccentric Walpole Hotel which does a superb afternoon tea and scones. At Margate there is everything - the Cobb there around the Turner Art Museum is well worth exploring and stick around for the sunset if there is going to be one - you’ll see why Turner painted there so much. 

Below: at high tide going through the chalk arch that leads from Kingsgate to Botany Bay is a highlight. And on a still day the view and sea can be superb. 

Bonus: With the coastal path running alongside the route, it’s easy to make this more about swimming or walking with plenty of getting in and out points along the route. Make it a 2 day trip by staying over night in one of the nice hotels or Air BnBs in the area.

Getting there: Trains to Broadstairs station and 15 minute walk from there to Viking Bay.

Kit: There is a general kit list and safety advice at the bottom of the page.

Local emergency numbers:
Margate Coastguard - worth letting them know what you are doing when you arrive. 

DESCRIPTION

This can be swum in both directions but we think the best route is on the incoming high tide from Broadstairs with a finish at Margate with fish and chips, a pint and a sunset from the Cobb. 

Arrive at Broadstairs train station one hour before high tide (find them here) and meet at Viking Bay (15 minutes walk from the station). Make your way to the cafe at the end of the cobb / pier. Grab a cup of tea here if you fancy it.

First swim is to Joss Bay and is the longest at approximately 2km depending on tidal flow which is pushing you along. You can start this from the Cobb at Viking Bay or walk along to Stone Bay beach to swim round the headland to Joss Bay. Joss Bay is a popular, nice sandy beach and has a cafe. You can rest here and walk the rest of the way if you want. If not…

Next swim is approximately 1.5km to Botany Bay or 0.5km to Kingsgate Bay and walk the rest. The longer swim takes you through Kingsgate Bay Sea Arch or round the Arch headland into Botany Bay - worth the extra effort. 

Botany Bay is then split in two by chalk pillars, mini headland, which you will see ahead of you. The main lifeguarded beach is just after the headland and is a big long stretch of sand. There is a pub, the Botany Bay hotel or a beachside cabin for a cup of tea. 

Then it’s a 3km walk along the cliff tops and beachfront to Margate with options to drop down onto the sea wall walk by the shore for a dip at Walpole Sea pool - this is definitely worth a visit but as you are swimming near high tide - it may be covered. There is tea and scones at the wonderfully eccentric Walpole Bay Hotel. 

Margate has a bevvy of galleries, pubs, restaurants on the seafront and the train station home is at the end of the beach. We’d even suggest booking a night in Margate (Walpole Bay Hotel is a classic) and staying the night - it’s a good day, evening out with good cafes, bars, restaurants. We hope they are all still there in 2021!

your guide

Want to give this route a go, but not ready to go it alone? Send us an email to hello@abovebelow.sc and we can put you in touch with a local guide to accompany you.

All our local guides are qualified lifeguards or swimguides with first-hand experience of the route.