Despite its famously unpredictable weather, Britain’s coastline continues to enchant travellers with its windswept beauty, rich heritage, and wildly varied character. From the pebbly coves of the South East to the golden sands of Cornwall, the UK is home to hundreds of coastal towns that combine nostalgia, charm, and natural splendour.

Now, a new ranking by Condé Nast Traveller has spotlighted 16 of the very best seaside escapes across the nation, and it’s Kent that has stolen the show. The travel magazine has unveiled its top picks for the most charming, distinctive, and culturally rich seaside towns in the UK.

With destinations ranging from arty Cornish hideaways to historic Yorkshire resorts, the list offers something for every kind of coastal daydreamer.

The Kent quartet, Whitstable, Margate, Folkestone, and Dungeness, each brings something entirely different to the table, highlighting the county’s extraordinary coastal diversity.

Whitstable, just over an hour from London, was lauded for its bohemian flair and deeply rooted maritime culture. Once a favourite of the Romans for its native oysters, today the town hums with creative energy.

Visitors can explore pastel-coloured cottages, stylish thrift shops, and Wheelers Oyster Bar, a local institution. Its blend of history and hipster makes it one of the UK’s most effortlessly cool beach towns.

Margate, long a beloved destination for Victorian holidaymakers, has undergone a dramatic resurgence in recent years. Once neglected, its seafront now buzzes with art, music, and a unique mix of high and low culture.

Turner Contemporary, Dreamland, and quirky shops have helped Margate become a magnet for creatives, while its expansive sandy beach still draws families and nostalgia-seekers in droves.

Folkestone, a town that once struggled with its identity, has transformed itself into a thriving cultural hub. With its celebrated outdoor art installations from the Folkestone Triennial, vibrant Old High Street, and spectacular views across the Channel, it offers a surprisingly cosmopolitan alternative to more traditional resorts.

Then there’s Dungeness, the most unconventional entry in the Kent lineup. Described by some as desolate and by others as poetically raw, Dungeness is a stark shingle headland home to rare wildlife, abandoned fishing boats, and the iconic Prospect Cottage, once owned by filmmaker Derek Jarman. 

These four Kent towns join a star-studded list that also includes:

• St Ives, Cornwall

• Mousehole, Cornwall

• Rye, East Sussex 

• Salcombe, Devon

• Falmouth, Cornwall

• Mersea Island, Essex

• Scarborough, Yorkshire

• Eastbourne, East Sussex

• Blakeney, Norfolk

• Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

• Portscatho, Cornwall

• Suffolk Heritage Coast

With fast trains from London and an increasingly diverse cultural scene, it’s no wonder the Garden of England is fast becoming the Coast of Cool, too.

So whether you're seeking windswept walks, oysters by the sea, or a gallery on the beach, look no further than Kent.