Massive Folkestone scallops from Deal Fish Direct today

Just look at the size of these beauties. Deal Fish Direct had a delivery from the Folkestone fishing boat last Saturday, and is expecting another similar delivery tormorrow morning. The size is breath-taking, and the taste is superb. We had them simply fried in butter with garlic, and tossed in some parsley at the last minute. They were great with my fairy easy white loaf, and made a simple Saturday supper. I do urge you to try.

Some top sandy beaches in Kent

Kent may not be famed for its sandy beaches, but there are a few which are fantastic at this time of year - great expanses of sand at low tide, often only populated by isolated dog walkers. One of my favourites is Dymchurch beach where you can see all the way to Dungeness to the West and Folkestone to the East. There is plenty of room for family fun, whether flying a power kite, kicking a football, or just chasing the waves. Dymchurch is somewhat of a faded seaside town at this time of year, but there are plenty of cafes to warm up in or pubs and amusement arcades if that is your fancy. 

Cornerlia Parker Mermaid 2011

Sunny Sands Beach Folkestone

Travelling East and you'll go past the shingle beaches of Hythe, Sandgate and Folkestone but, at the end of the inner harbour at Folkestone there is the family friendly Sunny Sands beach flanked by chalk cliffs. This site was prominent in the triennial art festival that Folkestone holds (next one not until 2014) but if you fancy a hunt for artistic treasure you will find a bronze baby shoe made by the artist Tracey Emin, at the foot of some of the steps leading to the sea (below the cafe) and will see Folkestone's own life-sized bronze mermaid made by Artist Cornelia Parker and inspired by the famous Little Mermaid in Copenhagen. A variety of seafood is readily available here, from the freshest of cockles and prawns through to delicious hot seafood, inspired noodle dishes, locally caught crabs and lobsters, through to the new fish and chip Bistro, and acclaimed Rock Salt restaurant.

Botany Bay

Botany Bay

  Finally, is a beach that I've written about before, at Botany Bay, Kingsgate. The beaches distinctive sea-tunnelled chalk cliff arches, rock pools and blue-flag certified sea makes it a very family friendly site, with a nearby kiosk serving snacks and hot drinks.


The only downside of ALL of these beaches is that they are only shared by the sea at low tide. And, if you aren't familiar with the beach, you do need to check on the tide, as the sea does snatch the beach back pretty quickly, so be careful not to get cut off. For useful information about these British Beaches including tide times, and for the weather, have a look on these sites. This weekend the lowest tides are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so if you have a spring in your step with the promise of warmer weather, take a stroll down to one of these beaches. You won't be disappointed.