Blue seas, sandy shores and towering white cliffs: looking at pictures of Kingsgate Bay, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was somewhere in Greece.
The good news is that it's actually much closer to home: just down the road in Kent, in fact. Kingsgate Bay is located in the seaside town of Broadstairs, between Ramsgate and Margate in Thanet, and is just two hours away from London - the perfect distance for a day out.
In the winter months, the sandy beach is quiet and perfect for dog walking, but it's uniquely dog-friendly all year round so you can sunbathe through the summer with your pup at your side.
READ MORE: The hidden sandy beach 75 minutes from London that's actually nowhere near the sea
As the name suggests, Kingsgate Bay is a sheltered cove, offering wonderful calm and seclusion: the perfect antidote to busy London life. It also has some of the best examples of sea caves in Thanet.
The Bay is so hidden that it gets cut off by the sea at both ends at high tide, and doesn't have any lifeguards or public toilets. These facilities are available at nearby Botany Bay and Joss Bay, both lovely in their own right and just 12 and 7 minutes' walk away respectively, so you could even visit all three in a day.
That said, Joss Bay and Botany Bay are often packed full of people, so the lesser-known Kingsgate Bay is a better bet for a peaceful visit.
The main highlight of Kingsgate Bay is undoubtedly its towering white cliffs, which visitors on TripAdvisor describe as "truly stunning". The cliff arch - accessible at low tide - makes for an incredible photo opportunity, and on a sunny day the contrast of the white cliffs, blue sky and shimmering sea is sublime.
The only downside is that it can get a bit logged with seaweed, which can sometimes smell quite strongly, reviewers say, so take care when walking across the slippery shore if this is the case. Access is by steep concrete steps from the top of the cliff onto the beach, so sensible footwear is suggested, but this is part of what makes Kingsgate Bay such a hidden gem.
If you fancy a pint, the Captain Digby pub is right next to the beach. They also serve "hearty pub grub" with friendly staff and stunning views across the cliffs and out towards the North Sea.
A bonus attraction is the imposing Kingsgate Castle high up on the cliffs. It's now been converted into private flats, so you can't visit, but it does look majestic overlooking the beach.
As one TripAdvisor reviewer puts it: "If you want a nice beach just to chill out, this is the place to be."
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How to get there
If you're driving from London, take the A2 and M2: the journey takes between 1 hour 40 mins and 3 hours. By public transport, travel from London St Pancras International to Broadstairs in just over an hour and a quarter, then use local buses and footpaths to reach Kingsgate Bay.
What's your favourite secret beach near London? Tell us in the comments here.
