Nice unspoilt beach holiday in Kent

[Lotstodo]

I want to take my 8 year old daughter away to the seaside to somewhere a short train ride from London in the school summer holidays and I thought of Kent but I'm not sure where would be a nice beach holiday - and any information about somewhere cheap/reasonable to stay would be really appreciated.

Whitstable

Broadstairs is lovely - and has a sandy beach. I have never stayed there, so can't suggest any accommodation. It has a 60s style ice cream parlour and nice back streets for a wander. You can also get to Canterbury very easily, another nice place.

Thanks for your help so far. Does anyone know what Birchington and Herne Bay are like?

We are going to Whitstabel in August

Whitstable is nice, but has a shingle beach so your daughter may prefer Broadstairs. Broadstairs has a sandy beach but also has lots of rock pools which are fab for exploring. It also has some really good Italian restaurants.

Margate has a large sandy beach but is very run down, with lots of amusement arcades etc. However, the donkey rides on the beach are good.

If you want a huge expanse of sand try Camber which is in East Sussex. Get the train to Rye and then it is a about 3 miles away either in a bus or taxi. We stayed here but the prices have gone up steeply since we stayed. There is a cheaper option (shh Pontins).

Go to the south coast - to Camber Sands, which is just in East Sussex. Much, much nicer than the north Kent coast!

Camber Sands is a beautiful beach and we go there sometimes as it's quite near my mother's, but I'm not sure there are too many amenities nearby? The advantage of Broadstairs - where we also stay as sil has a house there - is that it does have sandy beaches, funfair rides, lovely shops and Italian restaurants, and Morellis icecream parlour which is a real old-fashioned treat.
Disadvantage is that we are forever bumping into DFL's (down from Londoners) that we know, it's becoming a bit London on Sea!

Camber is very close to Rye, which is lovely.

That's true, Rye is lovely.
I love both Sussex and Kent for holidays but I believe Herne Bay is supposed to be not so nice?

I think that the "unspoilt" part of the OP is what makes me think that the Camber/Rye combination would be more her thing than a town with a funfair etc. There is certainly plenty of choice in Kent for lovely holidays - weather permitting

I don't know Birchington, but I think Herne Bay would be a bit small/quiet really - it's more of a place to live rather than a place to visit ifyswim

Broadstairs is nice though - you can walk all the way around the coast on the sea wall once you've explored town to the rather more naff Margate, there's rockpools, and seaweed, and Morelli's as people have already mentioned.

Camber does have beautiful beaches, but is a bit bleak if you're going to be dumped there by a taxi.

Rye is also a good town for tourists - but not really seaside (although with a short train ride you're in Hastings - stony beaches, and has much improved over recent years, but is still just a town really)

Birchington is quite a small place - though I did have a work colleague who used to go there very regularly and stay in a caravan park - they really enjoyed it. Also there is a bus/train service that will take you to the other resorts - Margate etc. However the scope for finding things to do within Birchigton will be limited.

I would go for Broadstairs - however I think that your choice might be influenced by the availablity of pleasant, reasonably priced accommodation.

I think that one of the best options might be to find a holiday apartment. As I said, I can't think of any hotel/guest houses that i would recommend - but it would be worth looking at trip advisor.

We adore Camber/Rye - no amusement arcades, lots of lovely beach walks and a LOT of history in Rye....

We have stayed in Apothecary House in Rye which was gorgeous and Leasam Farm Oast (our absolute fav) which is www.alimar.net It is not for everyone as they have dogs that go everywhere but for value for money and amazing settings/facilities you can't beat it!

I agree with the others - Camber Sands is fab!!

Have namechanged as I know folk on here!

I am from this area. Camber is lovely beachwise, but would not recommend the pontins place. No no no!

Rye is fantastic. Lots to see and do, cobbled streets, good food, and tearooms, fish and chip shops etc.

Camber is only good if you have very good weather. I see you are going by train, as someone else said, it can be bleak if dumped by taxi. Only a few seaside shops there with bucket and spades, greasy chips etc and icecream. So make sure it is really hot and you will have a fantastic day there.

Thank you all so much for your help. Am going to have a look at Camber Sands and Rye too.

We just got back from Winchelsea beach (near Rye) and spent two days at Camber sands (lovely sandy beach) as well as a couple of days at the shingle beach just opposite our accomodation (some sand when tide out) at Winchelsea Beach.
Highly recommend the area.
If you're up for a caravan holiday we stayed in caravans through Park Holidays www.parkholidaysuk.com/uk-holiday-parks-caravan-holidays-breaks/east-west-sussex/winchelsea-sands-be ach?${ja}=cgn:HPSussexNr+RyeWinchelsea+Sands%7ccgid:1209375611%7ctsid:10632%7ccn:Holiday+Park+Name s%7ccid:34054991%7cnw:search%7ccrid:5390362151%7ckw:park%2520holidays%2520winchelsea%7cpm:&gclid=CIb CueXQmqICFZqX2AodSxRXww

but there are some great places in Rye and round and about if you're looking for something more like a hotel or b&b
www.ryesussex.co.uk/
camber.east-sussex.co.uk/

I'd go for Broadstairs too. The beach is lovely. Some rental places here

If you do decide to go for the Rye/Camber option, I can highly recommend these yurts just outside of Rye. It really is amazing, and you get two yurts all to yourself - one to hang around in, another to sleep. Fab. I can't wait to go back.

Ah sorry, I missed the part that you'd go by train. You'd need a car for the yurts.

Broadstairs Broadstairs Broadstairs!

The beach at Camber is probably the best in SE England But Broadstairs has a great charm, is not tacky, has a sandy beach - in fact several round the bays - and has more on the spot activities and possiblities for an 8 yo if you are going for more than a day or two.

Thanks so much for your help - I've been looking at where to stay now - it's so pretty at Broadstairs and the beach at Camber looks lovely.