The summer holidays are a great opportunity to pack up the car and take the whole family to the beach for a day of sandcastle building, arcade games and fish and chips by the sea.

Kent is home to some fantastic beaches, so we’ve come up with a day trip guide to some of the county’s top seaside destinations so you can make the most of your visit to the coast…

FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE

If you’re heading towards Folkestone and Hythe for a trip to the coast, start your day off at Dymchurch beach.

The beach, which is on Romney Marsh and just a few miles from Hythe, is sandy and flat, making it perfect for families with small children.

There are also donkey rides along the sands in the busy season, a nearby cafe to pick up snacks and a promenade and sea wall that allows visitors to stroll from the beach to St Mary’s Bay.

Once the kids start getting restless, you can keep them occupied with a trip to the nearby Dungeness National Nature Reserve, which is a 15-minute drive from the beach.

The reserve, which is free to enter, gives visitors a chance to admire the historic wooden houses, power stations and lighthouses along the shingle shore.

There’s also a bird observatory, lifeboat station and the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, a narrow gauge railway dating back to 1927.

Then, when the family feels peckish, it’s time to head to Folkestone, one of Kent’s most popular tourist destinations and a hub of food and drink spots.

One of our reporters recently visited the town’s new Argentinean steakhouse Portenio, which serves authentic South American cuisine with views of the harbour.

He described the sirloin as “the best steak I’ve ever had” and enjoyed the grilled vegetables on the side and churros for dessert, so it’s well worth a visit.

To finish off the evening, take a walk along Folkestone’s Harbour Arm and stop for a drink at one of the many bars dotted along the waterfront.

You can grab a bottle of Mythos beer from the Big Greek Bus, raise a glass at the Lighthouse Champagne Bar or even treat yourself to an ice cream from Dessert Folkes before heading home.

DEAL AND DOVER

A day at the White Cliffs coast isn’t complete without a trip to Dover Castle, so that’s where we recommend starting your day.

The historic castle is free for English Heritage members, while prices start from £26 for non-members, and has a range of events going on throughout the summer.

There are medieval jester classes and archery sessions, knight battles, open-fire cooking, pirate storytelling and more taking place during the summer holidays.

Visitors can also explore inside the castle, venture below to the secret wartime tunnels and take in views across the English Channel from the Great Tower.

When it’s time for lunch, you can hop in the car and travel to Walmer, near Deal, where you’ll find Kent’s top-rated cafe on Tripadvisor, the Goose on the Green.

The menu has traditional dishes such as a full English breakfast, cheese omelettes and bacon sandwiches, as well as some more unique options including Spanish hash, chorizo toasties and strawberry cheesecake French toast.

After you’ve had your fill of food, you can head down to Deal beach - either three minutes in the car or a 15-minute walk - to soak up some afternoon sun.

The pebble beach is a great place to watch the fishing boats go by, and you can even walk out to the end of the 1950s pier for a better view.

When the sun goes down, head to the Zetland Arms in the nearby village of Kingsdown which has been serving up pints since 1863.

The pub sits on the beachfront and is surrounded by huts and cliffs, with a range of Faversham-based Shepherd Neame beers on offer and a menu of local seafood if you’re still hungry.

THANET

Broadstairs is home to some of the best-loved beaches in Kent, and it’s a great place to throw down a towel and start sunbathing.

If you’re heading down to the Thanet coast during the summer holidays, you can choose from the surfing school at Joss Bay, the picturesque Botany Bay and the bustling Viking Bay.

All of the town’s golden sands are worth visiting, but Viking Bay is the main beach where you’ll find children’s activities, fairground rides, beach huts, a clifftop promenade and a harbour.

Broadstairs is also where you can grab a bite of the best burgers in the county.

Please Sir! is a burger and milkshake restaurant on the high street which has been given many five-star reviews since opening in 2020, and our reviewer agreed that the food was delicious and great value for money so it’s a good pick for a crowd-pleasing lunch.

If the kids are still after something to do, there’s nowhere better for family fun in Thanet than Dreamland.

Margate’s vintage fairground is free to enter, but you can pay for the rides you want to go on including the waltzers, Ferris wheel and the Scenic Railway roller coaster.

There are also arcades, a roller disco, fairground games and food stalls, and it’s all right on the beachfront if you want to take one final dip in the sea.

For those who want to end the night with a drink or two, the Bedford Inn in Ramsgate makes our list of Kent’s best pub gardens to visit this summer.

The secluded garden has been turned into a man-made sandy beach where the kids can build sandcastles and adults can sit back in a deck chair with a cocktail or pint.

ISLE OF SHEPPEY

If you’re spending a day on the Isle of Sheppey this summer, the best place to start your day is on Sheerness beach.

The Blue Flag beach is mostly shingle with patches of sand and has stunning views out to the Essex coastline on a clear day.

You can also help the kids find crabs, shrimps and other sea creatures in the water pools left when the tide goes out, and there’s also a children’s play area with a sandpit and a skateboard park nearby.

If you’re taking the dog with you, you can stop off for a drink at the Castle Tavern, which has recently reopened after a three-year closure.

The dog-friendly pub can be found in the town centre, about 10 minutes walk from the beach, and has a well-maintained garden and pool table.

After you’ve had an afternoon pitstop in the pub, jump in the car and drive to the nearby Leysdown where you’ll find Jimmy G’s Amusements.

You can enjoy traditional arcade games, try your hand at mini-bowling, let the kids loose in the soft play area and play a round of bingo.

Then, before heading home, you can travel to the Love Fish Bar and Restaurant, which can be found just next door to the arcades.

This popular fish and chip shop was given a makeover earlier this year to give it a contemporary new look and a table service option.

You can get classic chip shop dishes as well as some different options, such as Turkish cuisine, wraps, chicken burgers and even cocktails.

And, if you get a takeaway, you can eat your food while watching the sunset over the beach - the perfect way to end a summer’s day.