Ramsgate Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions, Local Food & Travel Tips | Trip.com

Ramsgate
Ramsgate Tunnels
Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum
King George VI Memorial Park
Ellington Park
Ramsgate

About Ramsgate

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Must-try food in Ramsgate

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Recent events and experiences in Ramsgate

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Paris | D AWARDS 2027 in PARIS event in Ramsgate

From SGD 128

Nanterre

Jan 15, 2027-Jan 16, 2027

Paris | D AWARDS 2027 in PARIS

YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2027 event in Ramsgate

Birmingham

Mar 4, 2027-Mar 14, 2027

YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2027

London | Harry Styles: Together, Together event in Ramsgate

London

Aug 25, 2027-Aug 28, 2027

London | Harry Styles: Together, Together

London Marathon 2027 event in Ramsgate

London

Apr 25, 2027

London Marathon 2027

Traveler photos and experiences

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Ramsgate Harbour — traveler post in Ramsgate

Ramsgate Harbour

Ramsgate Harbour We really enjoyed spending time around Ramsgate Harbour. It’s the kind of place where you can have a simple walk by the sea, watch the boats coming in and out, grab something to eat and enjoy the views but once you know the history, you start looking at the harbour in a completely different way. The harbour started being built in 1749, after a violent storm showed just how badly ships needed somewhere safe to shelter. Over the years it was developed by some of the best engineers of the time, including John Smeaton and the Rennies. The harbour we see today is the result of all those different stages of building and improvement. One thing we found really interesting is how Ramsgate changed because of the harbour. It helped the town grow from a small fishing community into an important port and later a popular seaside resort. By the 19th century, people were coming to Ramsgate for holidays, helped even more by the arrival of the railway in 1846. And there’s a lovely royal connection too. King George IV visited Ramsgate and sailed from the harbour in 1821. After his visit, the harbour was given the title “Royal Harbour” making it the only harbour in the UK to have that designation. We also found the wartime history quite moving. During the First World War, Ramsgate Harbour was used by the Dover Patrol, and during the Second World War it played an important part in the Dunkirk evacuation. Small boats based around Ramsgate helped bring soldiers back from France, with around 42,000 men arriving at Ramsgate during the evacuation. Standing there today, with the boats in the marina and people enjoying the waterfront, it’s hard to imagine everything that happened here. The same harbour that is now somewhere for us to relax and enjoy the sea was once a busy working port and an important place during wartime. There are layers of history everywhere you look. We could enjoy the sea and the atmosphere, but also stop and think about the people, ships and events that shaped this place over hundreds of years. #ramsgate #ramsgateHarbour #RoyalHarbour #ramsgatekent #visitramsgate #kentcoast #kenttravel #maritimehistory #britishhistory #dunkirk #ww2history #napoleonicwars #seasidetown #KentSeaside #explorekent #uktravel #familytravel #travelreview #travelmemories #historylovers Posted: Just now

HappyTravelsUKHappyTravelsUK
Ramsgate 🌊🎨 More Than Just a Seaside Town — traveler post in Ramsgate

Ramsgate 🌊🎨 More Than Just a Seaside Town

We really enjoyed our visit to Ramsgate, but finding out about Vincent van Gogh’s time here made the trip even more interesting. It’s easy to forget that before he became one of the world’s most famous artists, he was once a young man trying to find his way in life. Van Gogh came to Ramsgate in April 1876, aged just 22, and worked as an assistant teacher at William Port Stokes’ boys’ school. He stayed at 11 Spencer Square, with the school nearby on Royal Road. There were 24 boys at the school, aged between 10 and 14, and Van Gogh taught them subjects including French and German. What I found lovely was hearing about what he did with the boys outside the classroom. He would take them down to the beach, even when the weather wasn't perfect. They played on Ramsgate Main Sands, and on one occasion Van Gogh actually helped the boys build a sandcastle. In a letter to his brother Theo on 21 April 1876, he wrote: “We go to the beach often; this morning I helped the boys build a sand-castle like those we made in the garden at Zundert.” I love that quote because it makes him feel much more real. You can picture him standing on the beach with a group of schoolboys, building a sandcastle and remembering doing exactly the same thing with his brother Theo when he was younger. He also clearly enjoyed the sea around Ramsgate. Shortly after arriving, he wrote to his family about taking a walk by the sea, saying simply: “it’s beautiful there.” He described the harbour, the ships and the stone jetties where people could walk, and said that further out, where the sea was more open, “that’s beautiful.” When we were walking around Ramsgate, I kept thinking about that. The harbour and the sea are obviously not exactly the same as they were in 1876, but there is still something special about standing by the water and knowing that Van Gogh walked around these same streets and looked out at this same coastline. He even made small drawings of the view from the school, including View of Royal Road, Ramsgate, showing how much the place caught his attention. For us, this made Ramsgate more than just a nice seaside visit. We could enjoy the beach and harbour, but at the same time we were walking through a small part of Van Gogh’s early story — before the paintings, before the fame, when he was simply a young teacher living in a seaside town. #Ramsgate #RamsgateKent #VanGogh #VincentVanGogh #VanGoghInEngland #VanGoghRamsgate #RamsgateMainSands #KentCoast #KentTravel #ArtHistory #VanGoghTrail #BritishHistory #SeasideHistory #ExploreKent #UKTravel #FamilyTravel #TravelReview #TravelMemories #HistoryLovers #ExploreEngland

HappyTravelsUKHappyTravelsUK
Ramsgate: A Regency-Era Seaport with a Rebel Heart — traveler post in Ramsgate

Ramsgate: A Regency-Era Seaport with a Rebel Heart

Forget polite seaside nostalgia—Ramsgate is **Kent’s most intriguing coastal paradox**, where Georgian elegance collides with pirate history, and a working harbor hums beside vintage vinyl shops. This isn’t just a town; it’s a **salty, slightly unkempt love letter to maritime adventure**. · -- ### **Why Ramsgate Seduces (and Surprises)** ⚓ **A Harbor with Stories to Tell** · **Royal Harbour**: The only UK harbor granted "Royal" status (by George IV in 1821), where **fishing trawlers** unload their catch beside superyachts. Don’t miss the **smokehouse shacks** selling oak-fired kippers. · **Pegwell Bay**: A **wild, marshy coastline** where Viking longships first landed—now a prime spot for oyster foraging at low tide. 🏛️ **Architectural Drama & Hidden Tunnels** · **The Grange**: Augustus Pugin’s Gothic Revival mansion (the architect of Big Ben), a **medieval fantasy** with secret chapels and sea views. · **Ramsgate Tunnels**: A **maze of WWII shelters** carved into chalk cliffs, now hosting eerie sound-and-light shows about the town’s Blitz survival. 🍴 **Food with Grit & Glamour** · **The Empire Room**: A **faded ballroom turned brasserie**, serving champagne and oysters under chandeliers. · **Peter’s Fish Factory**: A no-frills **harborside shack** where the haddock is fresher than the graffiti outside. · **Vinyl Head Records**: Browse rare LPs, then grab a craft beer at **The Ravensgate Arms** next door. · -- ### **Secrets Only the Rugged Coast Lovers Know** · **The Microclimate Mystery**: Ramsgate gets **more sunshine than anywhere else in Kent**—hence the palm trees on East Cliff. · **The Ramsgate Sands Murder**: A notorious 1860s crime that inspired Dickens’ unfinished novel *The Mystery of Edwin Drood*. · **Best Sunset Spot**: **The View Point** near the lighthouse, where the whole harbor turns gold. · *Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)** "Where Regency dandies once promenaded, and punk bands now play in smuggler’s caves." · Insider Move: Take the **Ramsgate to Ostend ferry** for a day trip to Belgium—because why not?* 🚢🍟 · -- · "Ramsgate doesn’t do twee—it does *real*, with a side of sea spray and a dash of defiance."* · (Note: Stay at **The Royal Harbour Hotel**—ask for Room 12, where Turner once slept.)* 🎨🌊

Dakeke65Dakeke65
Beautiful Beach — traveler post in Ramsgate

Beautiful Beach

Absolutely beautiful, clean beach with soft sand and the biggest wetherspoons in the country. Not too crowded and well maintained. The walk next to the chalk cliffs were breathtaking. Great temperature to have a swim and also do all kinds of water sports. The Ramsgate tunnels were incredible with all kinds of information and history. Tours last one and a half hours and it's best to be in comfortable shoes. We stayed at Spencer Court Hotel for two nights which was nice and quaint. Walking distance from the beach and decently priced. The breakfast there was perfect and the service was amazing. Overall, a great weekend away.

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London Surroundings | Ramsgate to Margate Hike — traveler post in Ramsgate

London Surroundings | Ramsgate to Margate Hike

|Ramsgate to Margate Hike. London Surroundings | Ramsgate to Margate Hike RamsgateMargate Ramsgate to Margate Hike 16.04 km Moderate difficulty ★★★ Coastal hikes are a different kind of experience compared to the tranquility of forest trails. The vastness of the coastline and the roar of the sea bring a sense of openness. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a walk by the sea and let your mind relax and heal. LondonRamsgate From Charing Cross station in London, you can take a train to Ramsgate, enjoying the countryside scenery of southeast England along the way. The journey takes about two hours. It is recommended to purchase a round-trip ticket. You can return to London from Margate (the end point). After arriving in Ramsgate, the first stop of the hike is High Street. From High Street, there is a gentle slope. At the end of the slope, turn around and you will see the docks by the sea and the elevated highway built with red bricks. If you are a fan of Hayao Miyazaki, this sunny scene will remind you of something familiar. Royal Victoria Pavilion Following the map, you will see the Royal Victoria Pavilion, an iconic building. Ramsgate Tunnel Passing by some ice cream shops and seaside apartments, you will then reach the historic Ramsgate Tunnel. This tunnel was originally built as an air raid shelter during World War II to protect local residents from air raids. Dumpton Gap Coming out of the tunnel, continue forward. When the weather is good, you can often see people with children and dogs walking or cycling leisurely on Dumpton Gap beach, enjoying the sunshine and the beach. Viking Bay Then you will arrive at Viking Bay in Broadstairs. This beach is known for its traditional British seaside town atmosphere. The colorful beach huts are lined up along the promenade, adding a lot of vitality to the beach. Kingsgate BayBotany Bay This section is the most stunning part of the hike. The famous white cliffs of Dover appear before your eyes. During World War II, British pilots saw these cliffs from afar and knew they were about to return home. Walpole BayLand Raft Continue hiking to Walpole Bay. At low tide, a large area of beach is exposed, where you can explore rock pools and tidal pools. Margate Finally, the end point of the hike is Margate. The Turner Contemporary art gallery in the town is a highlight. It showcases modern art and is named after the famous British landscape painter J.M.W. Turner. This hike from Ramsgate to Margate is full of discoveries at every step.

Christopher Thompson Finn-80Christopher Thompson Finn-80

What people are saying about Ramsgate

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White Cliffs of Dover

It was a lovely trip. There is a good walk to the end of the cliff if you are coming by train. At places, the walk is naturally steep because it's a hill, so I won't prefer going on the hottest days. The best time I would say would be March-April or August.

Div22Div22

Canterbury Cathedral

This is a very worthwhile church to visit. It was built in the Middle Ages, more than 1,000 years ago, and is one of the oldest Christian buildings in the UK. After years of expansion and renovation, it is quite magnificent. Gothic architecture, colorful glass, and the original appearance is preserved intact. It is a pity that there is no Chinese version of the audio guide at present.

似猫非喵似猫非喵

Dover Castle

The bunker of Dover Castle was the command post of the Dunkirk evacuation, and there was also an attached hospital. The view from the castle is excellent, you can see the sea, the city, and the castle green. There are not so many people, at least there is a lack of commercial facilities.

大卫Ju大卫Ju

Botany Bay Beach

Covid management was outstanding and atmosphere was very relaxed. Staff were excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The best eating out experience we have had since August.

M43***62M43***62

Westgate Gardens

Visitors commonly mention its peaceful atmosphere, making it a lovely spot for a stroll or a picnic. The gardens run along the River Stour, providing picturesque water views, especially with the weeping willows and vibrant flower beds. The area is well-maintained, and it's a favorite for both locals and tourists who appreciate nature.

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Destinations near Ramsgate

Southampton travel destination

Southampton

3 hrs 6 mins

Recommended trip: 1–3 day(s)

Bristol travel destination

Bristol

3 hrs 48 mins

Recommended trip: 1–3 day(s)

London travel destination

London

2 hrs

Recommended trip: 3–5 day(s)

Oxford travel destination

Oxford

3 hrs

Recommended trip: 1–2 day(s)

Bath travel destination

Bath

3 hrs 54 mins

Recommended trip: 1–2 day(s)

Brighton travel destination

Brighton

Recommended trip: 1–3 day(s)

Cambridge travel destination

Cambridge

2 hrs 18 mins

Recommended trip: 1–2 day(s)

Birmingham travel destination

Birmingham

3 hrs 42 mins

Recommended trip: 1–3 day(s)