insideKENT Magazine Issue 55 - October 2016 | Page 115

TOWNSPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT
ON

Broadstairs

Broadstairs is the most beautiful of quintessential British seaside towns. With
award-winning beaches (Broadstairs has seven beaches and bays; three have Blue
Flags and one has a Seaside Award), a plethora of independent shops on the high
street, beautiful walks that can take you all across Thanet as well as a wide range
of exceptional festivals and events, Broadstairs is the place to be. BY LISAMARIE LAMB

Viking Bay © Thanet Tourism

HISTORY IN BRIEF

THINGS TO DO

When Broadstairs was first established in around
1080, it was known as Bradstow, which means
‘broad place’. It is thought that this name refers
to the wide bay that is so iconic here. Eventually
this name became Broadstairs in the fourteenth
century – and that title refers to an actual flight
of steps which were cut into the cliff sides so that
pilgrims could visit the Shrine of Our Lady which
had been built at the top of the cliffs themselves.
And so Broadstairs and its shrine was established.
Due to the influx of visitors who wanted to see
the shrine for themselves, more and more
merchants chose to make Broadstairs their
permanent home as they could make a tidy living
from the pilgrims who made their way through
the town to the cliff top. From a small fishing
village, an important and popular seaside town
grew up.

Joss Bay
Joss Bay is one of the most popular of all the
beaches at Broadstairs. The notorious smuggler,
Joss Snelling, was named after the bay and this
sandy beach is sheltered by tall chalk cliffs making
it the perfect beach on which to enjoy some
family time. There are plenty of facilities nearby
including cafés and restaurants as well as toilets,
and you can even try surfing with the Joss Bay
Surf School if you are feeling