Thanet

Local information for Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Birchington, Westgate-on-Sea and Minster

Thanet occupies the north-east corner of Kent, covering the seaside towns of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. The area has a population of around 140,000 and sits on a peninsula that was historically separated from the mainland by a channel of water.

Each of the three main towns has its own character. Margate is home to the Turner Contemporary gallery and the Dreamland amusement park. Ramsgate has the UK's only Royal Harbour, a distinction granted by George IV. Broadstairs is closely associated with Charles Dickens, who wrote there regularly during the Victorian era.

Council and local democracy

Getting around

Railway stations in the area include Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Birchington-on-Sea, Westgate-on-Sea, Dumpton Park, Minster. High-speed services to London St Pancras call at Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

The main roads serving Thanet are the A28, A299 (Thanet Way) and A256.

Health and emergency services

The main hospital is Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, run by East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, which has an emergency department.

Neighbouring areas

Canterbury · Dover

News from Thanet

Kent News Hub’s local news coverage for Thanet is in development. This page will grow to carry Thanet reporting alongside the reference information above. See all Kent areas.