Broadstairs is one of the more easily-reached corners of the Kent coast. The high-speed line from St Pancras has turned what used to be a long day's trip into a comfortable morning's journey.
By train
This is the way to come if you don't need a car at the other end. The fastest journey from London St Pancras International to Broadstairs takes 1 hour 20 minutes. Services run roughly hourly through the day, with around 50 trains every weekday, and operate from before 6 in the morning until late at night.
Trains are operated by Southeastern on the High Speed 1 line — the same line that carries the Eurostar. The trains are modern, comfortable, and quiet, and they cut across north Kent rather than meandering through the suburbs.
You can also pick the high-speed service up at Stratford International (1h 12 to Broadstairs — actually slightly faster than St Pancras) or Ebbsfleet International, which is useful if you're driving in from the M25.
The slower Southeastern service from London Victoria takes about 1h 46 and runs through the older route via Bromley and Faversham. It's cheaper but noticeably slower; only worth it if you're starting close to Victoria and don't mind the extra time.
Tickets are cheapest when bought in advance — fares from around £8 one-way if you book a few weeks ahead. Walk-up day fares are considerably more. A Network Railcard or the Two Together card can take a third off if you're eligible. The TrainPal and Trainline apps both work well for booking.
From Broadstairs station to Botany Bay Beach House
The house sits in Kingsgate, about two miles north of Broadstairs station. Options for the last leg:
- Taxi — easily the most convenient. There's usually a rank at the station; £8-12 to Kingsgate. Local firms include Thanet Taxis (01843 822822).
- Thanet Loop bus — the Stagecoach Loop runs a regular service between the Thanet towns. Cheap, frequent, scenic, but slower than a taxi.
- Walk — about 45 minutes along the clifftop path via Stone Bay, with the sea on your right the whole way. A beautiful arrival if the weather's right and your luggage is light.
By car
The drive from central London takes about 1 hour 45 minutes in light traffic — call it two hours plus on a Friday afternoon or Sunday evening in summer.
The route is straightforward: A2 / M2 east through Kent, then the A299 Thanet Way at the Brenley Corner, following signs for Margate and Ramsgate. Stay on the A299 / A28 round Margate and follow signs to Broadstairs, then Kingsgate. Postcode for satnav: CT10 3LU (Marine Drive). Around 75 miles total.
The M25 to M2 junction (3) is the usual pinch point. Leaving London after 10am or before 3pm dodges most of it.
At Botany Bay Beach House there is secure off-road parking for five cars behind automatic gates, plus an EV charger on site (small charge for electricity). No need to worry about street parking.
From the airports
- Heathrow: 2h 15 by car (via M25 east to M2). By rail: Tube to St Pancras then high-speed train — around 2h 30 total.
- Gatwick: 1h 50 by car. By rail: Gatwick Express to Victoria, change for Broadstairs — around 2h 45 total.
- Stansted: 2h by car via the Dartford Crossing. By rail: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, Tube to St Pancras, high-speed to Broadstairs — around 2h 30.
- London City: The closest. Driving 1h 30, or DLR to Stratford International, then 1h 12 high-speed to Broadstairs.
Getting around once you're here
If you've come by train, you don't need a car for most of a holiday at Botany Bay Beach House. The whole north Thanet coast is walkable along the clifftop trail, taxis are cheap and easy, and the Thanet Loop bus connects Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and the bigger villages frequently.
For day trips slightly further afield — Canterbury, Sandwich, Whitstable, Deal — the train network reaches all of them with one or two changes. Canterbury West is 25 minutes from Broadstairs.
If you're planning to drive to the gardens at Sissinghurst, the cliffs at Dover, or anywhere off the train network, a car is much easier. Enterprise and Hertz both have desks in nearby Margate if you need to hire one for a day.
The honest recommendation
Train if you're coming from central London — it's faster, it's less stressful, and Broadstairs is the kind of town that's better explored on foot anyway. Car if you're coming from outside London, travelling with a lot of luggage, or want to range further into the Kent countryside during your stay.