Beautiful Broadstairs

One of my favourite places in Kent, Broadstairs, with its' famous Viking Bay.  We stayed at the Royal Albion Hotel (www.albionbroadstairs.co.uk) which has been standing proudly on the Broadstairs' seafront since 1776 and a former residence of Charles Dickens. We felt so at home there and slept like babies. Our room was perfect and we enjoyed breakfast served on the terrace overlooking the sea.

The highlight of the stay for me was our visit to Bleak House (www.bleakhousebroadstairs.co.uk) which I had previously never had time to visit. It was originally called Fort House and was the residence of the captain of one of the two coastal forts guarding Broadstairs. Charles Dickens spent many summer holidays at Fort House in the 1850s and 1860s and it was here overlooking Viking Bay that he wrote David Copperfield. Fort House was renamed Bleak House in the early part of the 20th century when a guest mentioned that it was the Bleak House referred to in Dickens’ novel and the name stuck. A museum can be found in the cellar, afternoon teas are served in the tea room and the house also acts as a wedding venue.

Broadstairs has a wonderful old cinema housed in a grade 11 listed building close to the seafront which is a very popular attraction to locals and visitors (www.thepalacecinema.co.uk).

We enjoyed wandering around the high street and side streets and of course I couldn’t resist a rummage in the charity shops and antique shops. Broadstairs has a great choice of restaurants but we opted for fish and chips sitting on the sea front watching the world go by. On our way home we spotted an amazing guest house – the Belvidere Guesthouse (www.belvidereplace.co.uk) a unique boutique B&B with a stunning interior filled with quirky vintage objects. With our wedding anniversary fast approaching I have dropped some hints! Would love a stay here!