Things to Do in Thanet This Summer: From Beaches to MonsterSlam

Thanet is one of Kent’s top summer spots, offering seaside towns, sandy beaches, tasty food, attractions, and live entertainment. Whether you come for a day or a weekend, there’s lots to enjoy here.

With good travel links from London and the South East, Thanet is a great choice for anyone who wants to relax by the coast and enjoy fun events and activities.

Margate: Art, Music and Seaside Energy

Margate draws visitors with its creative vibe and classic seaside charm. The town features:

• Turner Contemporary art gallery

• Margate old town

• Dreamland amusement park and live music venue

• Traditional family arcades

• Independent shops and vintage markets

• A wide choice of cafés, bars and restaurants

• Long sandy beaches and scenic sunsets

Photo by Francesca Grima on Unsplash

Dreamland is now one of Kent’s top live music venues, hosting touring bands, DJ nights, and summer festivals that attract crowds from London and further afield.

Birchington & Manston: Summer Entertainment at Quex Park

Birchington and Manston are in the heart of Thanet and offer a mix of countryside, coastal views, and big summer attractions.

Birchington is home to Quex Park, which hosts Monsterslam, one of the South East’s biggest family events each summer. This year on Sunday 26th July.

MonsterSlam turns Quex Park into a festival-style event with:

• Big Pete, Grim Reaper and Swamp Thing monster trucks

• Freestyle motocross stunts from the Bolddog FMX Team

• The Tigers Children’s Motorcycle Display Team

• Fairground rides, inflatables and food stalls

• Mini Monster Truck rides for younger fans.

  
  

With shows in the morning and afternoon, MonsterSlam is easy to fit into your summer plans, whether you’re local or coming from farther away. If you’d like to come along, grab your tickets here.

Not far from there, Manston offers a quieter setting with its aviation history. The RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum is a favorite for history lovers, with famous aircraft, exhibitions, and interactive displays.

Birchington and Manston together offer a good mix of live entertainment, family attractions, and history during the summer.

Ramsgate & Broadstairs: Harbour Views and Coastal Charm

Ramsgate has a busy harbour, marina walks, boat trips, and places to eat by the water. Broadstairs is famous for its classic seaside feel, sandy bays, and family-friendly beaches.

Both towns offer:

• Coastal walks and cliff-top views

• Independent shops and cafés

• Relaxed seaside atmospheres

• Great places to eat by the sea

Photo by Alex on Unsplash

Beaches Across Thanet

Thanet’s coastline is one of its main attractions, especially in summer.

Popular beaches include:

• Westbrook Bay (Margate) – A family-friendly sandy beach with nearby cafés

• West Bay (Westgate-on-Sea) – Calm waters, colourful huts and promenade walks

• Birchington & Minnis Bay – Classic seaside beaches ideal for swimming and picnics

Margate Photo by Max Letek on Unsplash

Broadstairs Photo by MIKE TURTON on Unsplash

Food, Entertainment and Indoor Fun

Thanet’s food scene is growing, with lots of independent restaurants, cafés, and seaside places to eat in Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Birchington and Westgate.

Whether you want seafood, street food, brunch, cocktails, or a relaxed family meal, you’ll find plenty of options.

If you’re looking for indoor fun, Westwood Cross has:

• A large Vue cinema complex

• Hollywood Bowl for bowling

• Shopping and restaurants

  
  

Independent cinemas in local towns offer a more relaxed way to watch movies, and escape rooms in Margate and nearby areas give families and friends a fun group challenge.

Herne Bay & Whitstable: Classic Seaside Days Close to Birchington

Just a short drive from Birchington, Herne Bay and Whitstable offer two more great seaside options for visitors exploring the north Kent coast.

Herne Bay is a proper traditional seaside town, with a long promenade, shingle beach, colourful beach huts and a relaxed, old-school coastal feel. The town is also home to several amusement arcades, perfect for families looking for classic seaside fun, featuring 2p pushers, video games, and prize machines.

Herne Bay Photo by Sam Wise on Unsplash

Herne Bay’s pier remains a popular spot for sea views, coastal walks and sunset photos, while the nearby Reculver Towers offer one of the most striking historic landmarks on the Kent coast. Sitting on the cliff edge with sweeping sea views, Reculver is ideal for scenic walks, photography and a dose of local history.

With fish and chips, ice creams, cafés and independent shops along the seafront, Herne Bay is a great place to continue the adrenaline or slow things down, before and after the high-energy action of MonsterSlam.

Whitstable, meanwhile, is famous for its harbour, oysters and buzzing food scene. Visitors can explore the working harbour, enjoy fresh seafood, browse independent shops and take in the town’s creative coastal charm. With its mix of seaside walks, great restaurants and unique character, Whitstable has become a popular destination for visitors from London and beyond.

With Herne Bay and Whitstable both so close to Birchington and Quex Park, it’s easy to add them to your summer plans. Whether you’re visiting for arcades, beaches, history, food or a relaxed coastal stroll, they make great additions to a MonsterSlam trip.