Botany Bay Beach Broadstairs
A picturesque Kentish beach with dramatic chalk cliffs, golden sands, and unique sea stacks, perfect for exploration and photography.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peaceful atmosphere
Botany Bay Beach Broadstairs
Best Time
Peaceful atmosphere

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A picturesque Kentish beach with dramatic chalk cliffs, golden sands, and unique sea stacks, perfect for exploration and photography.
"Botany Bay is one of the UK's most photogenic beaches, known for its dramatic chalk stacks and golden sands."
🚗 Parking Patience Needed
The car park fills up fast! Arrive early or be prepared to search for alternative spots.
🧺 Pack Your Own Picnic
Food options are limited and can be pricey. Bringing your own snacks and meals is a good idea.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Dramatic Chalk Cliffs
Surrounding the bay
Iconic white cliffs create a stunning backdrop, perfect for photos and exploring at low tide.

Hidden Sea Caves & Rock Pools
Accessible at low tide
Discover fascinating caves and rock pools teeming with marine life when the tide recedes.

Golden Sandy Shores
Main beach area
Expansive golden sands provide ample space for relaxation, sunbathing, and family fun.

Chalk Stacks
Offshore formations
Unique natural sea stacks rise from the water, adding to the bay's picturesque and photogenic appeal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds: Weekday Visits Recommended
Pack Smart: Food & Parking Tips
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Patience Needed
The car park fills up fast! Arrive early or be prepared to search for alternative spots.
🧺 Pack Your Own Picnic
Food options are limited and can be pricey. Bringing your own snacks and meals is a good idea.
🌊 Low Tide for Exploration
Discover hidden caves and rock pools when the tide is out – check tide times before you go!
♻️ Leave No Trace
Help keep this beautiful beach clean by taking all your rubbish with you.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Patience Needed
The car park fills up fast! Arrive early or be prepared to search for alternative spots.
🧺 Pack Your Own Picnic
Food options are limited and can be pricey. Bringing your own snacks and meals is a good idea.
🌊 Low Tide for Exploration
Discover hidden caves and rock pools when the tide is out – check tide times before you go!
♻️ Leave No Trace
Help keep this beautiful beach clean by taking all your rubbish with you.
👟 Comfortable Footwear Recommended
Exploring the cliffs and caves requires sturdy shoes.
🐦 Beware of Seagulls!
They are notorious for stealing unattended food, so keep your picnic secure.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Botany Bay is praised for its stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic chalk cliffs, golden sands, and unique sea stacks, making it a highly photogenic spot. Visitors enjoy exploring caves and rock pools at low tide and appreciate its relative tranquility, especially on weekdays. However, some find the beach can be littered, parking is challenging, and food options are limited and expensive.
"We walked from Margate Beach to Botany Bay Beach along the promenade (about an hour’s walk) and arrived around 6pm. By that time, it wasn’t too crowded as many people were leaving, which made it a peaceful spot to enjoy. The tide was low, but the views were still stunning, especially sitting close to the dramatic white cliffs.
The beach was a little littered, likely from the day’s crowds, but overall still very enjoyable. Facilities are convenient with toilets nearby, a lifeguard station, and a bus stop just a 5-minute walk away. The surrounding area is dotted with beautiful residential houses and has a very quiet, relaxing feel.
A lovely place to visit if you’re in Kent - perfect for an evening stroll or to unwind by the sea."
Christine M
"Our favourite family beach. Not far from London. Important if you’ve got a toddler and don’t want to travel long distances. Not overcrowded. Beautiful views, sandy beach and great waves. On top of it there are lifeguards to make sure safety of your kids. Hotel on the top of cliff to eat in. During tide out you can explore caves and search for fossils."
Kamila Kolakowska
"Awesome beach, good place parking available for £6 per day food is a bit expensive
I suggest pack all food from your home
Awesome place to spend time make sure you get umbrella and two chair and some swimming clothes as you can swim there is water is not deep. I really enjoy swimming and also you can rent umbrella and you also rent surfing board live jacket is nice place to visit if you need more info, please let me know thanks.
Toilet also available there ."
Harsh Patel
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Botany Bay is accessible from London by train to Broadstairs station, followed by a bus or taxi. Some visitors find the bus unreliable, so a taxi from Broadstairs or Margate might be easier. The journey can take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Yes, there's a small car park near the Botany Bay Hotel, but it fills up very quickly, especially on sunny days. It's advisable to arrive early or consider parking further away and walking.
Yes, you can walk from Margate or Broadstairs along the promenade. The walk from Margate takes about an hour and offers scenic coastal views.
While the beach itself is sandy, access can involve steps down to the sand depending on the exact entry point. The promenade walk is generally accessible, but the beach terrain might be challenging for some.
You can take a train to Broadstairs station and then catch a bus. However, some travelers report that buses can be unreliable, so checking schedules or opting for a taxi is recommended.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Botany Bay Beach is a public beach and does not have an entrance fee. You only pay for parking if you use the designated car park.
As a public beach, Botany Bay is accessible at all times. However, facilities like toilets and the nearby cafe will have specific operating hours.
No, tickets are not required for Botany Bay Beach as it is a public access area.
Yes, lifeguards are typically on duty during the peak summer season, providing an added layer of safety for swimmers.
Facilities include public toilets, a lifeguard station, and a cafe/restaurant nearby.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, exploring sea caves and rock pools at low tide, fossil hunting, and walking along the dramatic cliffs.
The water can be cold, even in summer, but it's generally good for swimming, especially when the waves are calm. Lifeguards are present during peak season.
Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) offers beautiful light for capturing the cliffs and sea stacks. Low tide is also ideal for photographing the caves and rock pools.
Yes, at low tide, numerous rock pools are exposed, offering a chance to see small marine life.
Botany Bay is known for its fossil-rich cliffs, making it a popular spot for fossil hunting, especially at low tide.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There is one restaurant located next to the beach. However, many visitors suggest bringing your own food as options are limited and can be expensive.
Besides the on-site cafe, you can find more dining options in the nearby towns of Broadstairs and Margate, which offer a wider variety of restaurants and pubs.
Food at the cafe near the beach is reported to be a bit expensive, so packing your own food is a cost-effective alternative.
📸 📸 Photography
The dramatic white chalk cliffs, the natural sea stacks, and the caves revealed at low tide are the most iconic and photogenic features.
Golden hour, around sunrise and sunset, provides stunning light for capturing the landscape. Low tide is also excellent for unique shots of the caves and rock pools.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local bylaws and obtain any necessary permissions before flying a drone over the beach or cliffs.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive cliffs and beach. A macro lens can be useful for rock pool exploration. A tripod is helpful for low-light photography during golden hour.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & Day-Trippers
📸 Photographers & Nature Enthusiasts
💰 Budget Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Natural Wonders: Caves and Cliffs
When planning your visit to explore these natural wonders, checking the tide times is crucial. High tide can cut off access to some of the caves and significantly reduce the available beach space. Many visitors recommend wearing sturdy footwear, as the terrain can be uneven and slippery, especially when exploring the caves. The combination of the towering cliffs, the rugged coastline, and the dynamic tidal environment offers a truly immersive and adventurous experience for those who venture here.
Beyond the immediate beach area, the surrounding coastline offers opportunities for scenic walks. The Viking Coastal Trail and the Kent Coastline Walk pass nearby, providing exceptional views of Botany Bay from different vantage points. These trails are perfect for extending your exploration and appreciating the broader coastal beauty of the Isle of Thanet. Remember to bring your camera, as the dramatic scenery provides endless photographic opportunities, especially during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset.
Getting to Botany Bay: Travel Options and Tips
For those driving, there is a car park located near the Botany Bay Hotel. However, this parking area is quite small and tends to fill up rapidly, especially on sunny weekends and during peak season. Visitors are strongly advised to arrive early in the morning if they plan to drive and secure a parking spot. If the main car park is full, you may need to find alternative parking in the surrounding residential areas, which can also be challenging.
Alternatively, walking from nearby towns like Margate or Broadstairs is a pleasant option for those who enjoy coastal strolls. The promenade walk from Margate to Botany Bay takes approximately an hour and offers lovely sea views. This can be a great way to combine your visit to Botany Bay with exploring other coastal spots in the area and avoiding parking hassles altogether. Regardless of your chosen method, planning your travel in advance will ensure a smoother and more enjoyable visit to this beautiful Kentish beach.
Family Fun and Practicalities at Botany Bay
When visiting with children, it's essential to be prepared. Seagulls are known to be quite bold and will attempt to steal unattended food, so keeping picnics secure is paramount. Bringing plenty of snacks and drinks is also recommended, as the on-site food options can be limited and costly. The beach can get busy, so arriving early can help secure a good spot and avoid the most crowded times. Exploring the rock pools at low tide is a fantastic activity for kids, offering a chance to discover fascinating marine life.
For families looking to extend their day, the nearby towns of Broadstairs and Margate offer additional attractions, including arcades and entertainment. While Botany Bay itself offers a natural escape, the proximity to these towns provides options for varied family fun. Remember to pack essentials like sun cream, hats, and towels, and always ensure you take all your rubbish with you to help preserve the beach's natural beauty for future visitors.




Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit