A view of the royal harbor of Ramsgate, Kent, England, the only royal harbor in England
The coastal towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate on the east coast of Kent are often referred to as part of the English “riviera.” Although not as glamorous as St Tropez, this part of England certainly has its charms, including sandy beaches and quaint historic harbors with cafes, bars and restaurants.
Ramsgate Harbor, Kent, England
Ramsgate has attractive Regency architecture, quaint streets, a burgeoning contemporary art scene and, thanks to George IV, the only royal harbor in the United Kingdom. The harbor was given its status by King George IV, as a gift for the hospitality he received when visiting Ramsgate in 1820.
Lobby, Albion House, Ramsgate
Stay
Stay at Albion House, the boutique hotel voted as the best in Kent. Its clifftop location beside pretty Albion Gardens means it has stunning views that stretch right down to the Royal Harbor. Built in 1792, Albion House has tons of character and features the original spiral staircase. Of the fourteen cozy, bright rooms, twelve have direct sea views. The former Georgian home entertained royalty, politicians, actors and the wealthy. Famous past guests include Princess Victoria, shortly before she was crowned Queen. The public spaces are lovely, a real highlight of this hotel. Breakfast is served in an attractive dining room with rustic furnishings, high ceilings and huge windows.
Eat and Drink
The Home Front tea room, Ramsgate
Experience a delightful afternoon tea in a vintage 1940s setting. The Home Front Tea Room offers excellent homemade cakes, scones, crumpets and teacakes plus seventeen different teas, various coffees including old school Camp coffee, Ovaltine and Bovril. Cold drinks are retro too, think Lemon Barley water, Vimto cordial, Tizer and of course, Ginger Beer.
Over two bright floors, popular Archive cafe on the harbor features speciality coffee, all day breakfast, quiches, soups, salads and cake. There’s also a unique collection of locally made home-wares for sale on the ground floor.
The Falstaff on Addington Street on the West Cliff offers a brilliant breakfast and brunch menu including eggs, waffles, falafels and an excellent vegan selection.
For fish and chips, Pete’s, on the promenade across from beach, is the kind of traditional fish and chip cafe you’d expect in a seaside town.
Laurent Delaye gallery, Ramsgate
Shop
Ramsgate, like Margate and Hastings, has been attracting an artsy crowd in the past few years who’ve opened contemporary art galleries, cafes and artisan boutiques. Laurent Delaye gallery on the West Cliff of town shows cutting-edge contemporary art, with an ongoing program of exhibitions. Located on trendy Addington Street, the gallery is in the heart of a growing area of hip shops and cafes, including Positive Retail, a clothing shop that has a great sustainable business model where you can buy and sell premium fashion. Paraphernalia offers keen prices on a wide range of antiques and vintage furniture and memorabilia. Nearby, record shop fans looking for cool rarities are well catered for at the excellent Vinyl Head.
Coco Barclay, Ramsgate
Coco Barclay designs and produces handbags and accessories in her Harbour street studio/store. Each bag is carefully made and finished, using the best quality Italian leathers and beautiful vintage cottons. Also for sale are a carefully chosen range of vintage clothes to complement the bags.
Molly Pickle Studio, Ramsgate
Molly Pickle Studio is a new shop from local illustrator and printmaker Molly Pickle. Her mugs, prints, T-shirts and tea towels are environmentally friendly with all inks being vegan/ water based. Greeting cards are made of recycled paper and cotton products are 100% organic and sustainably sourced. The limited edition prints are on paper made of recycled coffee cups.
