If you dream of a summer in Italy but cannot afford the trip, a coastal town in the UK offers a more budget-friendly alternative. Ramsgate, a harbour town in Kent, has been compared to the Amalfi Coast, widely hailed as Italy's most beautiful destination. The only difference is Britain's less-than-Mediterranean climate.
Getting to Ramsgate
Located just two hours from London, Ramsgate is described as having a 'continental feel' and a 'cosmopolitan atmosphere'. It is easily reached by train, with direct links from London St Pancras, Victoria, and Charing Cross. Travel times vary from one hour and 15 minutes to around two hours and 20 minutes. Unlike its nearby neighbour Margate, Ramsgate is less hipster, making it ideal for a weekend getaway.
Things to Do in Ramsgate
On a sunny day, it is easy to feel a touch of la dolce vita while sitting outside one of Ramsgate's many waterfront bars, cafes, or restaurants, with sweeping views across the marina. Quaint, colourful buildings line the streets, where dozens of artisan delis and vintage boutiques await exploration. Minutes from the seafront, a chalk cliff coastline features award-winning beaches. The most popular walk leads to Broadstairs' Viking Bay, where a pint awaits as a reward.
Historical Attractions
If history appeals, take a tour of the UK's largest civilian wartime tunnels, which once brought Victorian railway passengers from London to the beach. The place that has drawn the strongest comparison to the Amalfi Coast is the Boating Pool on Westcliff Promenade, a family-friendly venue with a boating pool and palm trees. Two grand renaissance-style pavilions wrap around the water; one side houses a bar, and the other a cafe serving fry-ups, burgers, and seaside classics.
Ramsgate's Boating Pool
Back in 2024, KentOnline hailed Ramsgate as 'dazzling' and 'picturesque', adding: 'If you told someone you were on the Amalfi Coast, they'd believe it.' The Grade II-listed site offers aesthetically pleasing views, with the sparkling blue sea over the cliff-top providing the icing on the cake. Ramsgate's Boating Pool has numerous fans online. One Tripadvisor reviewer commented: 'This stunning location right on top of the cliffs overlooking the harbour and out towards the picturesque town of Sandwich. The views are amazing. The food is very very good.' Another gave it five stars, writing: 'Unexpected find on the water with great views and great beer.'
The World's Biggest Wetherspoons
If this were not enough to entice visitors, Ramsgate is also home to the world's biggest Wetherspoons. Located inside a Grade II-listed pavilion that is more than 100 years old, the building was originally intended as a concert hall when built in 1903. Since then, it has been used as a nightclub and casino, but shut down in 2008 before Wetherspoons transformed it into a pub. While Italy's balmy weather is not guaranteed, visitors can shelter from the Kent drizzle with a good old pint.
This article was first published in May 2024 and later in April 2025, and has been updated.
