The gorgeous Kent beach named among Britain’s greatest that Londoners haven't discovered yet

Sunshine and warm weather have at last, though briefly, returned to Kent which can only mean summer is finally just around the corner. When the temperature breaks anything over single digits, you can be sure many of us will flock straight to our county’s wonderful beaches to make the most of it.

If you’re having a hard time deciding which part of the coast to visit the next time the sun actually comes out, fear not, as the county’s ‘greatest beach’ has now seemingly been found. The Telegraph has published its definitive ranking of the UK’s 20 greatest beaches, shining a light on some real coastal gems from up and down the nation.

Despite our coastline attracting a flood of tourists every year during the warmer months, and featuring numerous blue flag awarded beaches, only one from Kent managed to crack the list. That lucky beach was St Margaret’s Bay, and for good reason.

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Sitting below the quaint village of St Margaret’s at Cliffe between Dover and Deal, this expanse of shingle is backed by stunning white cliffs and is the country's closest point to France. The Telegraph remarked: “abandoning the car high above it all in the little village of St Margaret’s At Cliffe and then picking your way down a winding wooded path towards the water is part of the fun.

“This pine-scented stroll, past sleepy lanes hemmed in coastal mansions, evokes the French Riviera and the Costa Brava – transporting walkers straight into holiday mode.” High praise indeed.

The paper noted that the area has even attracted notable figures including playwright and composer Sir Noël Peirce Coward and James Bond writer Ian Fleming, who both lived in the village for a time. Thanks to its secluded nature, the beach largely remains a hidden-gem in Kent and so doesn’t attract quite the same volume of daytrippers as its counterparts in Thanet, Dover and Deal.

The Telegraph highlighted this fact too, adding: “A noticeable lack of DFLs (Down From Londons) equals no chichi coffee huts or beachside boutiques, just local families rockpooling, paddling and searching for fossils among the shingle.” However, the parking spaces found onsite at the beach do still tend to fill up rather quickly during the summer months so bare that in mind.

If you don’t fancy battling it out with other beachgoers for a space, the area is rather easy to visit via public transport, with a number of bus services serving the village. For anyone keen on stretching their legs ahead of their beach trip, it is possible to walk to St Margaret’s Bay from either Dover or Deal, though it is quite the hike and takes around two hours each way.

Being such a highly rated and beautiful part of the Kent coast, some may want to extend their trip beyond just the day visit. For this, The Telegraph recommends hunkering down in the Brooks House, described as a “comfy B&B around one kilometre from the beach” that’s known for its “delicious English breakfasts”. Double rooms here start from £119 per night.

To round out that perfect day at the seaside, you can’t go wrong with an ice cold pint and some pub grub from a cosy boozer. The Coastguard has been highlighted by The Telegraph as a must visit when you’re done relaxing in the bay.

Dating back 300 years, the pub found beneath the white cliffs has grown a reputation for its high quality burgers and steaks. It also boasts the unique claim to fame of being Britain’s closest pub to France, so you can enjoy some striking vistas of the English Channel alongside your tipple of choice.

With British weather being temperamental at the best of times, there’s always the risk that your day by the sea could be dampened by some showers. Should this happen, The Telegraph recommends paying a visit up to the Pines Garden Tea Room, which prides itself on its traditional scones and homemade cakes.

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