Folkestone's Sunny Sands has been crowned the finest beach in Kent by Time Out, and it's just 52 minutes from London St Pancras via high-speed train. The accolade comes as a heatwave with a rare Met Office red warning continues to bake the South East, making coastal escapes particularly appealing.
Why Sunny Sands stands out
According to Time Out, which placed the beach at 15 on its UK-wide list, Sunny Sands is the only sandy beach for several miles along the Kent coast. Its quality is so exceptional that it hosts the annual Folkestone sandcastle competition, one of the town's most popular events. "Sunny Sands stands out in Kent for being the only sandy beach for several miles. Accordingly, its annual sandcastle competition is one of the hottest dates in Folkestone's calendar," Time Out wrote. The beach is also known for Tracey Emin's bronze sculptures of baby clothes hidden around the area.
Sunny Sands benefits from a sunny, south-facing aspect and is sheltered from wind by adjacent cliffs and harbour walls, making it ideal for sunbathing even when other spots are breezy. A seasonal lifeguard service operates on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm between April and September.
Activities and amenities
Folkestone Sea Sports offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard hire from Sunny Sands. The neighbouring Folkestone Harbour Arm has been transformed with independent food vendors, art installations, live performances and pop-up screenings. Dogs are prohibited from May through October. There's no dedicated car park, but on-street parking is available on Wear Bay Road, and Folkestone Central station is within walking distance.
Day Out with the Kids raves: "Sunny Sands Beach is one of the prettiest watering places on the south coast. The situation is delightful, the air is delicious, and the breezy hills and downs, carpeted with wild thyme and decorated with millions of wildflowers are, on the faith of a pedestrian, perfect." The quote is attributed to Dickens.
Other top UK beaches
Time Out's top ten UK beaches include Traeth Llanddwyn in Anglesey, Cuckmere Haven in Sussex, Blackpool Sands in Devon, Camusdarach Beach in Scotland, Weymouth Beach in Dorset, Watergate Bay and Kynance Cove in Cornwall, Alnmouth Beach in Northumberland, Mwnt in Ceredigion, and Camber Sands in Sussex.
