1. Ramsgate

First up we have the charming and bustling harbour town of Ramsgate

What to eat: Take a seat on a sun-soaked outdoor table overlooking the yacht marina. Sip a glass of wine or perhaps a cocktail. A smiling waiter brings you a plateful of show-stopping locally sourced seafood dishes. And there you have it – the dream coastal dining experience. Marc-Pierre’s Kitchen is collecting awards, recently adding the “Best Seafood Restaurant in Kent 2025” by international luxury LUXlife Magazine, and with good reason. This is a place to enjoy delicious food that encapsulates the taste of the coast.
But don’t let the awards intimidate you, the ambience here is fuss-free and comfortable so you can really relax and just appreciate the fabulous food. Their special summer menu includes local catches such as Dungeness spider crab, Ramsgate cockles and Kentish lobster, and it’s all prepared in-house for the freshest of flavours. Find out more and book your table at marcpierreskitchen.com.
Where to go out: The Queen’s Head is a popular live music venue that’s worth checking out – plus we’ve heard they do a very good homemade curry facebook.com/queensheadramsgate. Ramsgate Music Hall, meanwhile, has a packed schedule of performances – see what’s on at ramsgatemusichall.com. The Granville Theatre hosts everything from comedy clubs to musical extravaganzas. Look out for gems like Ramsgate XL Comedy Club on 5 July and Hastings resident Henning Wehn on 4th October thegranvilletheatre.com.

Where to shop: For all the pre-owned enthusiasts out there, pop online to visitramsgate.co.uk before your trip to familiarise yourself with a handy Retro Shopping Trail that takes in all the town’s quirkiest shops. There’s a whole host of themed trails to explore on there, just click into their ‘Things to Do’ section and then ‘Maps & Trails’. Alongside its plethora of pre-loved, Ramsgate has a great selection of independent shops, from high-end fashion to arts & crafts and homewares. The Saltworks Company is a brilliant stop for perfume, candles and home fragrance (WT’s Em Pavey loves their Discovery Set, where you get to sample all 10 of the company’s best-selling fragrances before you splash out on a full-sized version) thesaltworkscompany.com.
Whilst Potters Ramsgate is packed with an inspiring selection of homewares, greenery and gifts pottersramsgate.com.
Where to explore: The Grange is 19th century architect Augustus Pugin’s family home. Regarded as one of Britain’s most influential architects and designers, Pugin built St Augustine’s Grange to reflect his belief that medieval Gothic architecture was the only style fit for Christian society, also completing the magnificent St Augustine’s Church right next door. You can rent The Grange out (it sleeps 8) for stays from 2-14 nights landmarktrust.org.uk/grange
Elsewhere, Ramsgate Tunnels reveals the UK’s largest network of civilian war tunnels ramsgatetunnels.org. This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete is open at the weekends to celebrate obsolete and experimental technology this-museum-is-not-obsolete.com. And, finally, The Micro Museum is a must-see for fans of retrogaming, computing and micro electronics, collected by the founders over a period of more than four decades themicromuseum.org.

Deal

What’s New: Ting! There’s a new gallery space on the High Street, which shows and sells contemporary ceramics, sculpture, painting and printmaking. The work currently on show includes several Kent based artists, including Jaz Bushell from Whitstable and Melvyn Evans from Sevenoaks, but also artists and makers from further afield too. “After several visits to Deal we were hooked”, say Karen and Kim Papworth owners of Ting. And while you’re there, you can also check out the rest of the high street. “It has a special atmosphere and there are so many amazing shops that you can walk into and find something surprising, beautiful and original. You just know that the people inside love where they are and what they do. It’s infectious. We both mourn the loss of interesting high streets, so we feel privileged to be part of this vibrant town with its independent businesses.” Ting is at 89a High Street and you can call them at 01304 783276 or follow @evrythingting on instagram.

Where to have dinner: If spectacular settings with glorious sunsets are right up your street, then Kingsdown beach’s Zetland Arms is bound to please. Popular with both visitors and locals, this bustling pub serves lots of fresh seafood including whitebait, crab, mussels and, of course, good old fashioned fish & chips zetlandarms.co.uk.
Deal Pier Kitchen serves up brunch and lunch by day (it’s non-booking, just turn up) and steak and lobster by night (Friday and Saturday evenings, booking essential). There’s also a takeaway shack, open every day that serves coffee and snacks from 9am-5.30pm. dealpierkitchen.com.
The Rose Hotel, Bar and Restaurant has been named Best Boutique Hotel in the UK 2025 by The Sunday Times so get your booking in soon to see what all the fuss is about! Do make the most of the free use of a tandem to get about town during your visit! therosedeal.com.

There’s lots going on at The Rose – this chic seaside destination also has a sister restaurant, The Blue Pelican, and a boutique yoga studio with private treatment rooms, The Pelican Rooms.

What to do: Make time for a visit to the Kent Museum of the Moving Image (Kent MOMI). It explores and celebrates the great history of the moving image from candle-lit magic lantern performances, through Victorian experimentation, to the advent and heyday of cinema. You’ll find it just two mintutes walk from Deal Station, pier and seafront. Easy! Aside from the ever-changing exhibitions there’s also a garden and licensed cafe, serving Kentish and other fine wines and beers and light refreshments. Of course, there’s the all-important gift shop too. There are printed gallery guides, digital displays and hands-on material. Audio tours are also available. It’s open all year round on Friday to Sunday (including bank holidays) from 11am to 5pm. Tickets are £7 for adults, £6 concession and £4 for under 16s. Contact Kent MOMI in advance to arrange a tour with a curator. kentmomi.org

Where to stay: The newly refurbished The Blue Pigeons is situated in the pretty village of Worth just a few minutes from the Deal coastline and the historic town of Sandwich. The boutique hotel boasts eight stunning rooms, each one individually designed and all supremely comfortable with incredible attention to detail to the guest experience. There is an acre of beautiful gardens surrounding the property, now in full bloom it offers the perfect spot to sit in the sunshine with a cocktail from the garden bar or to dine from the garden menu.
The Pigeons restaurant is now in the hands of exciting talent Scott Hubble. His food focuses on seasonal ingredients, locally sourced to celebrate the best of the area’s bountiful produce.
thebluepigeons.co.uk.