Our Top Tips For Wellness on the Coast

Get out and get active

The Isle is famous for its refreshing sea air and feel-good activities. In winter, being here can work wonders on the mind, body and spirit. Nature knows best how to blow away the cobwebs and reboot sluggish systems.

Grab your bikes and take a spin along the Viking Coastal Trail. Enjoy spectacular coastal views and quiet country lanes, you can even stop off at one of our award-winning beaches on route (we have 16 to explore).

Much of this wonderfully scenic route is along traffic-free promenades with spectacular sea views, so it’s suitable for all ages and abilities, and these stretches are also perfect for those who prefer to have a coastal stroll or a bracing stomp.

Find your creative spark or just be still

Psychologists call it ‘flow’: that magical moment when your mind is completely immersed and focussed. We call it getting creative on the coast, where the free spirit of wind and waves is perfect for getting your imagination going. And it can’t be pure coincidence that we’ve so many contemporary artists living and working in Thanet today, and so many stimulating galleries and studios to visit around every corner.

Thanet is Kent’s creative coast where you can turn your pictures into your own masterpiece with a variety of creative workshops available - painting, glass making, pottery, flower arranging

Follow in the footsteps of famous artists and writers: Charles Dickens who found inspiration in Broadstairs “the freshest, freest place”; Van Gogh who spent “really happy days” in Ramsgate; T. S. Eliot and Tracey Emin, both energised Margate. JMW Turner thought that the “skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe” and we couldn’t agree more. Find just the spot that sparks your own creativity.

Try a little meditation and mindfulness overlooking the spectacular views of infinite sea, with 19 miles of sandy coastline there are a host of quiet spots you can choose from to take some time out, listen to the waves, breathe in the fresh sea air and refresh your being.

Feel the Heat

Not your typical beach activity. Margate Main Sands is where you will find Sea Scrub Sauna. Enjoy the warmth of the beautiful Nordic wood fired barrel sauna, with uninterpreted views of the beach and sea before stepping outside for the cold plunge into whisky barrels (filled with ice cold water).

Refreshing Plunge

For centuries sea-bathing has been seen to be good for the mind, body and soul. It may not be everyone's thing but a cold water sea swim is invigorating and an experience. So take a deep breath and a step into the unknown.

Forgotten you swimsuit, not a problem as Harbour and Tide in Margate offers a rental service for just £20 for 24 hours

Always make sure to let someone know you are going, wear appropriate clothing and have warm clothing for afterwards. The RNLI have some useful tips and in an emergency can be contacted on 999

Fresh air family fun

Spending quality time creating memories to cherish with the ones we love is so important for our wellbeing.

Bring those enquiring minds to the coast and let them discover marine life, fascinating history and quirky facts.

Search out the 10 digital discovery plaques across the Isle and uncover some of the unique stories, rich heritage and secrets brought to life by simply entering or scanning the code on the plaque to find out more through film, audio and images.

Smugglers, literary heroes and Vikings await you.

Or, for just £5 (plus proof of ID), you can hire a Coastal Explorer Pack for at least half a day of coastal fun.

Have fun learning how to make a sundial, identify clouds, play hopscotch and make sand art with finds from the beach. You can learn how to identify the marine life found in rock pools - all equipment and information sheets on how to explore sustainably are included.