Easy hikes and walks around Broadstairs And St Peters

When the later Queen Victoria visited Broadstairs, Snelling was so notorious that he was introduced to her as “The Famous Smuggler”! The cave entrance is easily accessible in the rear curve of the rock face and goes slightly uphill. There are a total of 3 smaller caves, lined up like a string of pearls. There used to be an upper exit that no longer exists. The way there is also the way back. Between the individual caves are low passages. If you don’t mind a bit of dust and lime, it’s fun to go on a discovery tour.

A Notorious Smuggler's Favorite Spot Due to its proximity to mainland Europe and its remote, cave-riddled bays, smuggling was a livelihood and a vital economic activity for many people along the Kent coast throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries. Thanet's smugglers openly carried weapons, defied the authorities, and forced locals to supply them with fodder and fresh horses. During the Battle of Botany Bay, informed tax collectors clashed with the notorious smuggler Joss Snelling and his gang. Machetes, knives, and boat hooks were used in the bloody battle, in which Snelling lost 15 of his men. The danger (or the contraband) must have suited Snelling well. He reached the ripe old age of 96 and in 1830 – at the age of 89 – was fined 100 pounds for smuggling – an enormous sum!

The Botany Bay Restaurant and Bar is perched atop the beautiful cliffs of Kingsgate, offering breathtaking views across the English Channel and the stunning surrounding beaches, with spectacular panoramic vistas. Opening Hours Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 9:00 AM–10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM–11:00 PM. Food service: Monday to Friday 12:00 PM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–9:00 PM, weekends 12:00 PM–9:00 PM. https://www.botanybayhotel.co.uk/ We've eaten there a few times and it's always been good, although the service could be a bit more efficient 😉

A very nice restaurant and pub with a lovely outdoor area and a wonderful view. The food and service are excellent. https://www.captaindigby.co.uk/

The Grade II listed building, dating from the late 18th to early 19th century, is also known as the boathouse (named after the lifeboat used from 1869 to 1912) and harbormaster's office. However, a 2015 report in the Isle of Thanet Gazette stated: "The old boathouse is thought to have been built around 1700 with a thatched roof. In 1843, this was replaced with a heavier slate roof, which probably caused the building's current visible lean." The building underwent a thorough inspection by Thanet Council in 2006, which found no structural issues. However, a June 2016 report by the Broadstairs Town Team stated that the building "is so badly deteriorated that local residents' concerns about its condition have prompted the town to investigate what needs to be done, both in the short and long term, to safeguard its status as one of Broadstairs' landmark buildings."

Broadstairs has had a clock tower since 1897, originally built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne). The original clock tower was destroyed by fire, and the current one was built in 1970 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee (25 years on the throne). The clock tower is located next to the bandstand in Broadstairs and is a pleasant spot to enjoy the view across the sea.

This magnificent, horseshoe-shaped bay is the main attraction of Broadstairs. It was the favorite holiday destination of Charles Dickens, who even dedicated a beloved story to it: "Our English Watering Place". The long sandy bay, the cliff-top promenade, and the wooden jetty make this bay a timelessly beautiful place.

Joss Bay, a paradise for surfers, is a popular 200-meter-long bay and known as Thanet's best surf beach.