Thanet

Thanet sits at the far eastern point of Kent, where the land runs out in a string of chalk cliffs, sandy bays and wide open sky. This was once an actual island, cut off from the mainland by a channel that has long since silted up, and the geography still shows in the way the coastline folds back on itself into a series of distinct bays rather than one long beach. The light here has a particular quality that has drawn people for generations, bouncing off the sea and the pale cliffs in a way that feels different from the rest of the county.

The three main towns - Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate - each face the water in their own way, with Victorian and Georgian terraces stacked up behind harbours and promenades. Between and around them, the land flattens into farmland and quieter villages, giving Thanet a mix of seaside bustle and open coastal countryside within a small area.

We list 72 self-catering cottages across the district, ranging from period properties to more modern conversions. Eaton Beach House puts you close to the water itself, while Farm Cottage and Fish N Ships suggest the range stretches from rural settings to spots right in among the harbour action. Others, like Debenham Lodge, Dorset Villas, Dreamers View, Ethelbert Apartment and Fagin's Den, are scattered through the residential streets of the coastal towns, putting you within easy reach of the seafront and town centres alike.

There's plenty to fill the days here. The bays themselves are the main draw, with sandy stretches for walking or swimming and a shoreline that changes character as you move from town to town. The old harbours at Ramsgate and Broadstairs are worth wandering around, and Margate's seafront has become a focal point for art and culture in recent years, drawing visitors who might once have overlooked this corner of Kent.