Viking Bay Broadstairs
A picturesque sandy cove in Broadstairs, known for its calm waters, colorful beach huts, and family-friendly seaside charm.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Viking Bay Broadstairs
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A picturesque sandy cove in Broadstairs, known for its calm waters, colorful beach huts, and family-friendly seaside charm.
"Viking Bay is a beautiful and charming beach with a lovely seaside vibe, perfect for families."
🚗 Parking Tips
Car parks fill up fast in summer. Consider arriving early or using public transport.
🐚 Shell Collecting Fun
Kids love collecting shells here! Bring a bucket for your treasures.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Golden Sands and Calm Waters
Viking Bay Beach
Perfect for families, this sandy beach offers calm, shallow waters ideal for swimming and paddling.
Iconic Beach Huts
Viking Bay Promenade
Colorful beach huts line the promenade, offering a picturesque backdrop for photos and a classic seaside feel.
Seaside Cafes and Restaurants
Promenade and surrounding streets
Enjoy fresh seafood, ice cream, and coffee with stunning sea views from numerous eateries.
Louisa Bay Rock Pools
Louisa Bay (adjacent to Viking Bay)
Explore fascinating rock pools teeming with marine life at low tide in the quieter Louisa Bay.
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Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit to Viking Bay
Getting to Viking Bay
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Tips
Car parks fill up fast in summer. Consider arriving early or using public transport.
🐚 Shell Collecting Fun
Kids love collecting shells here! Bring a bucket for your treasures.
🚶♀️ Promenade Strolls
The boardwalk is pram-friendly and perfect for a relaxing walk with sea views.
🌊 Check Tide Times
Low tide reveals rock pools and more sandy beach. Essential for exploring Louisa Bay.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Tips
Car parks fill up fast in summer. Consider arriving early or using public transport.
🐚 Shell Collecting Fun
Kids love collecting shells here! Bring a bucket for your treasures.
🚶♀️ Promenade Strolls
The boardwalk is pram-friendly and perfect for a relaxing walk with sea views.
🌊 Check Tide Times
Low tide reveals rock pools and more sandy beach. Essential for exploring Louisa Bay.
☀️ Sun Protection
Even on cloudy days, the sun can be strong. Pack sunscreen and hats!
☕ Coffee & Cake Break
Grab a coffee and cake from local spots like Bakes by Jess before hitting the beach.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Viking Bay is widely loved for its beautiful sandy beach, calm waters perfect for families, and charming seaside atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the convenience of nearby cafes, restaurants, and amenities, as well as the pram-friendly promenade. While it can get busy in summer and occasionally experiences seaweed, its overall appeal as a classic British beach destination is undeniable.
"Viking Bay is a beautiful and charming beach with a lovely seaside vibe. The sandy beach is perfect for families, with calm waters great for swimming and paddling. There are plenty of cafes, ice cream shops, and restaurants nearby, making it easy to spend the whole day there. The promenade is perfect for a relaxing stroll with great views of the sea. It can get busy during the summer, but the atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming. A must-visit spot if you’re in Broadstairs!"
Kaushik Patel
"Wonderful beach, has everything that you need! Clean toilets, baby change, bars, cafes. Boardwalk was brilliant with the pram. We had a lovely time here. Felt very safe, beach wardens and lifeguards were working and they were very friendly to the children."
Rachel Mac
"It's a nice safe beach, with lifeguards and no dogs in summer. Plenty of sand, sheltered bay and a gradual slope, so not too deep. Toilets, bars nearby and plenty of places to eat. Even a few fair rides on the beach. Sadly gets a bit dirty with litter, although you do see some litter picking going on. Also, when we were there there was a lot of seaweed washed up, about 2-3 metres to wade through to get in and out of the water. Digging down into the sand can bring up a lot of smelly, rotting seaweed too. It also gets very busy in hot days, but there are other beaches a short walk away, which are often quieter."
Archoptical Photography
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Viking Bay is easily accessible from Broadstairs train station, just a 5-minute walk away. If driving, there are car parks nearby, but they can fill up quickly during peak season.
Yes, Viking Bay is a popular sandy beach destination for day trips from London, offering a classic seaside experience.
There are car parks close to Viking Bay, but they are not very large and can become full during busy periods. Arriving early is advised.
Absolutely! The promenade along Viking Bay is well-maintained and pram-friendly, making it easy to navigate with young children.
Occasionally, fair rides can be found on the beach, adding to the traditional seaside fun, especially during peak season.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Viking Bay is a public beach and there is no entry fee to access it.
Viking Bay is accessible at all times, though facilities like cafes and toilets will have their own operating hours.
Dogs are not permitted on Viking Bay beach during the summer months (typically May to September).
Yes, lifeguards are usually on duty during the summer season, ensuring a safe environment for swimmers and families.
Yes, there are various accommodation options, including hotels and guesthouses, located within walking distance of Viking Bay.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can swim, paddle, collect shells, sunbathe, enjoy seaside food, and take scenic walks along the promenade. 
The waters at Viking Bay are generally calm and shallow, making it a safe and enjoyable spot for swimming and paddling, especially for children. +1
Facilities include clean toilets, baby changing stations, cafes, bars, and restaurants, with beach wardens and lifeguards often present.
Drone photography is popular here, offering stunning aerial views of the bay and coastline. Always check local drone regulations before flying.
Viking Bay features a lovely sandy beach, perfect for building sandcastles and relaxing. +1
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars along the promenade and in the town, offering everything from ice cream to full meals with sea views.
Yes, many establishments cater to families, offering kid-friendly menus and a relaxed atmosphere.
Several cafes and eateries offer takeaway options, perfect for enjoying a picnic on the beach.
Expect classic seaside fare like fish and chips, ice cream, and fresh seafood, alongside coffee and cakes.
While not explicitly stated, many cafes and restaurants in tourist areas offer vegetarian and other options. It's best to check menus or ask staff.
📸 📸 Photography
The beach huts, the promenade, the white cliffs, and aerial shots from a drone offer fantastic photographic opportunities.
Early mornings and late afternoons provide beautiful golden hour light, ideal for capturing the charm of the bay.
Yes, drone photography is very popular here, showcasing the bay's beauty from above. Ensure you comply with all drone regulations.
The combination of golden sands, colorful beach huts, the semi-circular bay, and the white cliffs creates a picturesque scene.
The promenade offers excellent ground-level views, while drone footage provides a unique perspective of the entire bay.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & Day-Trippers
📸 Photographers
+3Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring Broadstairs' Coastal Charm
The promenade running along Viking Bay is a key feature, lined with charming, colorful beach huts that add to the quintessential British seaside atmosphere. This boardwalk is not only picturesque but also practical, being easily navigable with prams and wheelchairs. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, offering continuous sea views and access to a variety of amenities.
Adjacent to Viking Bay is Louisa Bay, a quieter stretch of sand that becomes a treasure trove of rock pools at low tide. These pools are fascinating for children and adults alike, offering a glimpse into marine life. Exploring both bays provides a diverse coastal experience within easy reach.
+1Family Fun at Viking Bay
Beyond the beach itself, the surrounding area offers plenty to keep families entertained. Numerous cafes and restaurants serve classic seaside treats like ice cream and fish and chips, perfect for refueling after a day of beach activities. Some reviews even mention occasional fairground rides on the beach, adding an extra layer of excitement for kids.
The accessibility of Viking Bay is also a plus for families. It's a short walk from Broadstairs train station, and the promenade is well-suited for prams, making it easier to manage younger children and their gear. The opportunity for children to collect seashells is another highlight that resonates with families looking for engaging beach activities.
Photography Opportunities
For those interested in aerial perspectives, Viking Bay is a popular spot for drone photography. Drones can capture stunning panoramic views of the entire bay, the coastline, and the charming town of Broadstairs, showcasing its unique layout and beauty from above.
+2The best times for photography are often during the golden hours of early morning and late afternoon. The soft, warm light enhances the colors of the beach huts and the sand, creating a magical atmosphere. Low tide also presents unique photographic opportunities, particularly in the adjacent Louisa Bay, where the exposed rock pools offer intricate details and reflections.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit