June Walks Giveaway: Botany Bay, Kent

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This walk is reproduced from our popular walking book 'Dog Friendly Pub Walks in Kent'. A dog isn't required, but if you do have one, they will LOVE this walk.

📥 To download this walk and take it with you, click here!

BOTANY BAY, KENT

Distance: 4 miles

WALK HIGHLIGHTS

This is a great seaside stroll incorporating clifftop, promenade and beach walks. We have chosen this route as it includes one of the few beaches in Kent which allows unrestricted dog access no matter what time of year. You will enjoy some fine sea views from the top of the cliffs and an opportunity to visit the chalk stacks at Botany Bay, one of the landmark features of the county.

HOW TO GET THERE & PARKING

From the West take the A28 into central Margate. Where the road drops down onto the seafront take the left-hand B2051 turn signposted for Cliftonville. Continue along the B2051 as it winds along the clifftop. It will then turn sharp right inland. Keep following it for just over a mile inland. Continue along as it turns left then on the right-hand side immediately after the Nineteenth Hole pub, take the second left down Kingsgate Avenue. The Botany Bay Hotel is at the far end.
Sat Nav CT10 3LG

Parking: There is free parking outside the Botany Bay Hotel (where the walk begins) and it has its own car park. There is also parking available in a small free car park at the end of Botany Road as well as unrestricted on-street parking in Percy Avenue.

THE WALK

1. Turn left outside the pub following the path down towards the clifftop. If you would like to take a look at the chalk stacks, you have the chance to walk down the path on your immediate right which drops down to the beach. At the bottom turn right and the famous stacks will be facing you. However this beach (Botany Bay beach) is restricted with dogs not permitted after 10am between May and September. It is said that Botany Bay found its name when smugglers were arrested here with contraband and on conviction were deported to Botany Bay in Australia.

The stacks were formed when the sea eroded a crack in the headland and formed caves; further erosion formed an arch which later collapsed leaving the stacks separated from the headland. To continue the walk, keep along the right-hand clifftop path until you get to the concrete water works building on the top of the headland.

2. Immediately after passing it, take the right-hand path which drops fairly steeply through the cliffs and down towards the beach. At the bottom turn left. At this point you need to be aware of the tides. You can easily check the tides by using the BBC weather website following the links and entering 102a Broadstairs as the required location. At high tide keep to the promenade but at lower tides after a while you will have the chance to drop down onto the sandy beach at Palm Bay.

There are no restrictions on dog access to the sands here. You should be aware that exceptionally high tides may make even the promenade walk hazardous and in case of any doubt you should return to the cliff top. Walking either along the beach or the promenade follow the bay to the far end and round the headland. On your right-hand side you will see an open air sea water swimming pool. Now turn left and go up the gentle slope back to the clifftop.

3. Turn left at the top of the slope facing the Coastguard Station. Continue back along the broad clifftop path. On the right-hand side there will be the Palm Bay Café if you need a refreshment stop. Continue along the path until you pass the large square shelter on the right-hand side. Shortly after the shelter, bear right along the wide tarmac path.

4. Before this path reaches the road bear left along the path with the hedge and house-line on your right-hand side. You now follow this all the way back to the start.

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