A guide to accessible beaches and coastal walks in Kent

Kent’s coastline stretches for over 350 miles. Most of it is shingle. That matters if you use a wheelchair, powerchair, or walking frame, because shingle is difficult to navigate and varies from manageable to impassable depending on depth and compaction.

This guide focuses on surfaces and practical access – not just where the Blue Flags are.

The promenade option

The most accessible way to be by the sea on most of the Kent coast is to use the promenades rather than the beaches themselves. These are paved or tarmac paths that run at the top of the beach, level and generally in good repair. You can still see and hear the sea and, on many stretches, get to within a few metres of the waterline without touching shingle.

Dedicated beach wheelchairs – all-terrain chairs designed for shingle and sand – are available at a small number of locations and can open up the beach surface itself. More on that below.

Whitstable and Tankerton

Tankerton is the area immediately east of Whitstable town centre, and its promenade is one of the most consistently accessible seafront routes on the north Kent coast. The surface is smooth and level, suitable for powered and manual wheelchairs alike. It runs for several miles and connects back to Whitstable seafront.

Access from the road is off Marine Parade, where there is a mix of free and pay-and-display parking along the seafront. The transition from parking to promenade level involves a slope – some sections are steeper than others. The paved paths are easier than the grassy slopes between the road and the sea wall, so look for those rather than cutting across the grass.

At very low tide a shingle spit called The Street extends out from Tankerton beach. It attracts attention, but it is loose shingle and not accessible for wheelchair users.

Whitstable town centre and harbour are mostly level, though some older streets near the harbour have uneven or narrow sections. The harbour itself can be congested at weekends – weekday mornings are generally easier. Areas near the fish market can have rougher surfaces at the edges.

Herne Bay

About four miles east of Whitstable, Herne Bay is a traditional seaside town with one of the more practical seafronts for accessibility on this stretch of coast. The central promenade is wide, flat, and well-surfaced, running in both directions from the town centre.

Accessible parking and toilets are available on Central Parade. Seafront cafes are generally at promenade level. Herne Bay holds Blue Flag status for water quality. The beach is a mix of shingle and sand at lower tide – more navigable than pure shingle but still not easily crossed in a standard wheelchair without beach-specific equipment.

Herne Bay Pier has been partially rebuilt following earlier storm damage. Check current access conditions before planning a visit there specifically.

Viking Bay, Broadstairs

Viking Bay has one of the best beach accessibility setups on the Kent coast. A boardwalk more than two metres wide was installed to provide direct route to the beach surface, and a seasonal lift from the clifftop car park to beach level operates from April to September.

Accessible toilets are at Broadstairs Harbour and the Clock Tower. The bay is well-sheltered and has a sandy beach – a significant practical advantage over the shingle-heavy beaches further west along the coast.

Viking Bay is one of the Beach Within Reach locations (see below). The sandy surface combined with wheelchair lending makes it one of the most genuinely accessible beach experiences in Kent.

Joss Bay and Botany Bay

Both are near Broadstairs and hold Blue Flag and Seaside Award status. Joss Bay has accessible routes to the beach, accessible toilets, seasonal lifeguards (May to September), and a café. An access statement is available – worth requesting before your visit to confirm what is currently in place.

Botany Bay is more remote, with limited parking and no coach access. It is best reached on foot or by bike from Broadstairs, which limits its practicality for most wheelchair users. If distance from parking is a problem, focus on Viking Bay or Joss Bay instead.

Margate Main Sands

Margate’s main beach is sandy rather than shingle – a difference that immediately makes it more manageable on wheels. Blue Badge parking is available at Dreamland car park, with level seafront access via dropped kerbs and tactile paving.

If you are combining the coast with art, Turner Contemporary is a short distance from Main Sands — check their site for current access, tickets, and lift status before you travel.

Beach Within Reach wheelchairs are available at Margate from the Bay Inspectors office – contact 07432 648279 to confirm availability before your visit. A boardwalk improvement funded by Thanet District Council is planned for 2026-27, which should extend accessible beach-level access further.

Beach Within Reach

Beach Within Reach is a scheme operating at several locations on the Thanet coast that provides free all-terrain beach wheelchairs. These are purpose-designed to be pushed across sand and shingle by a companion, allowing wheelchair users access to the beach surface rather than being limited to promenades.

Current locations include Viking Bay, Broadstairs, and Margate Main Sands. No prior booking is usually required, but availability can vary on busy days. If you are planning a specific visit, contact ahead to confirm.

Coastal walking between towns

The Viking Coastal Trail covers about 32 miles around Thanet. Sections near Margate and Broadstairs run on good, level surfaces and are suitable for many wheelchair users. Some inland stretches are less consistent – check specific sections before planning a longer route.

Tankerton to Herne Bay is roughly four miles along mostly level promenade. The surface changes character at various points, so checking conditions in advance is sensible if you plan to do the full stretch. This route is popular with Restwell guests staying in Whitstable.

Practical notes

Accessible toilets

Accessible public toilets are not consistently available at every beach. Check visitkent.co.uk or contact each location in advance. The situation changes seasonally and some facilities close outside peak months.

Seasonal access services

Beach wheelchairs, lifeguards, and certain access facilities generally run from May to September. Visiting outside that window means reduced support at most locations.

Parking

Seafront car parks fill quickly on warm weekends and bank holidays. Blue Badge holders can use on-street bays free of charge with no time limit under current rules, but bay availability varies. Arriving early or planning a mid-week visit makes parking more predictable.

If you are staying in Whitstable

Whitstable puts you within easy reach of the Tankerton promenade, and about fifteen minutes’ drive from Herne Bay’s seafront. Broadstairs and Margate are roughly 30 to 40 minutes by car – practical for day trips but worth planning rather than treating as spontaneous.

Our Whitstable and Kent coast area guide has more detail on what is accessible locally. If you are considering a stay, read who Restwell is for, review the adapted bungalow, or enquire directly about dates and suitability.

For a quick overview of Restwell before you book, see the Restwell home page.

If you are planning where to stay, our guide to choosing an accessible self-catering property covers what to check before you book. If you are funding a PA to support you during the trip, see our direct payments guide for how care costs work on holiday.