Between Margate And Sittingbourne Is A Vibrant Coastal Town With Beaches, Fun Shops, And A Historic Pier

Pleasure piers were once all the rage in England, with these coastal destinations offering leisure and adventure in the Victorian era. Although they eventually fell out of fashion, many of these sites from this era still exist, including Herne Bay on the Kent coast. Located on the Thames Estuary, you'll find it nestled between Margate and Sittingbourne, two other noteworthy towns in Kent. Herne Bay flourished as a tourist hotspot in the 19th century. Nevertheless, its whimsical sights and attractions continue to delight.

Its pièce de résistance is its historic Herne Bay Pier, which extends over the vivid blue water and has classic amusement park vibes. Complementing Herne Bay's eclectic personality are the fun shops around town. Then there are the beaches, where visitors can immerse themselves in beauty as well as history. Reculver Beach, for instance, will arguably leave a lasting impression. From the rocky shore, visitors can view the 12th-century Reculver Towers and the remains of the Roman Fort dating to the early third century. The North Tower's interior can be toured on select days between April and October, while the historic site's exterior is viewable during daylight hours year-round.

"It's quiet, clean, and not crowded at all, which makes it perfect for a peaceful walk or just sitting by the water," states a review for Reculver Beach on Google. At Hampton Beach, visitors can fish and crab from the pier. Plus, users on Google and Tripadvisor say that despite its pebbly shore, it is a lovely spot to take a dip in the water. There's also a playground just steps away from the water. However, if you have your sights set on Herne Bay Pier and its lively surroundings, you can swim and relax at Herne Bay Central Beach.

Have fun in the sun at Herne Bay's historic pier, about a 20-minute drive away from Canterbury, a historic city with unparalleled architecture. According to the National Piers Society, the structure standing today dates to the 1890s and is not the first pier here, though by this time, the town had already made a name for itself as a coastal destination. The original pier opened in the early 1830s and shuttered in the 1860s, followed by a second pier in the 1870s. Today, the surviving section of the third pier provides "a really nostalgic journey to the days when Britain's seaside resorts were booming," says a reviewer on Google.

Voted second in the National Piers Society's 2026 Pier of the Year rankings, Herne Bay Pier features attractions like the Helter Skelter, where visitors climb to the top of a metal structure, then slide all the way down. On the carousel, little ones and even adults can get a kick out of riding to the beat of a merry tune. Visitors will also encounter carnival games, where they can try their luck and win a kitschy prize. "The whole place has a cheerful, old-school charm that just makes you smile," penned a reviewer on Google.

Grab a bite or a cold one; Herne Bay Pier is lined with little shacks offering ice cream, beer, and even Thai food with views of the seaside. Although Herne Bay Pier is a popular summer destination, it remains open during the winter. Also note that you can access the Oyster Bay Trail near Herne Bay Pier. This bike-friendly waterfront path leads all the way to the nearby coastal town of Whitstable, though you can use this route to reach Reculver Beach and Hampton Beach as well. 

Rounding out the Herne Bay Pier experience is its assortment of shops, like Saul's Sandcastle. Here, kiddos can get creative and design their own T-shirt or sand art to take home. However, the quirky adventures can continue off Herne Bay Pier. Cain's Amusements is mere feet away and is your quintessential seaside arcade, drawing visitors in with its glowing neon lights. Plus, there's an array of eclectic shops to discover within walking distance. This includes Briggsy's Emporium, a three-story antique shop. Housed in a historic structure from 1895, it spans 30,000 square feet and is filled with movie memorabilia, records, and more. 

"Sooo much too see, bits and bobs, this and that, everything under the sun, lots of fun," says a reviewer on Google. Additionally, you can have a snack and a cuppa at the on-site cafe decorated like a retro diner. Ram Collectible Toys is another intriguing shop that provides a blast from the past. Featuring a 4.9 rating on Google, the retailer appeals to all ages and has everything from Game Boys to Barbie dolls. "This is a real Aladdin's cave of treasures," is how one individual on Google described it. 

Prospective Herne Bay visitors rejoice: the town is only an hour and 30 minutes away from London by train. If you're thinking about planning a seaside getaway, Aqua Bay Guest House, rated 4.6 stars on Google, is one of the only waterfront accommodations available in town. Nightly rates, with a full English breakfast to boot, start at under $200 as of this writing. Explore more of the Kent Coast: destinations include Margate, which boasts sandy beaches, art galleries, and a mysterious underground grotto, and Deal, England's charming town with a beachside castle.