Trudi Roche

Fancy a bit of fresh air on some of Britain’s most famous beaches? Down on the south coast, in the far-east corner of Kent, the resorts of Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate offer fabulous sandy shores with year-round appeal, as well as fascinating history and a funky art scene.

Before the lockdown, I spent 72 hours exploring the Thanet District with my dad Tony, 77, and children, Izzy, 12, and

Billy, nine.

We set up camp in a stunning Airbnb (of which there are many) in the pretty resort of Broadstairs. It boasts seven awesome sandy beaches. The three most popular are Viking Bay, a huge horseshoeshaped beach in the centre of town, which has children’s rides in the summer, a boardwalk and a row of colourful beach huts.

Botany Bay has its photogenic chalk stacks that the kids loved climbing, and Joss Bay, located halfway between Broadstairs and Margate, is the local surf beach and home to the longest established surf school in the area.

Broadstairs was author Charles Dickens’ favourite holiday spot – this year is the 150th anniversary of his death. You can visit Dickens House Museum or try the costumed St Peter’s Village Tours.

Not for me, I’m afraid, I still haven’t finished Little Dorrit, which I started in 1985 for my A-level English.

As well as an array of independent shops, the place is packed with restaurants, cafes and ice-cream parlours to satisfy your tastebuds.

Wander along the beautiful promenade to Victoria Gardens,

Day 1: Broadstairs

The kids loved climbing Botany Bay’s photogenic chalk stacks