Thanet

Located at the easternmost tip of Kent, Thanet sits on what was once the Isle of Thanet, now a broad peninsula facing the North Sea. Its coastline of chalk cliffs, wide sandy bays and marshes around Pegwell Bay gives it a distinctive maritime character.

The district’s towns - Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs - carry strong seaside and maritime traditions, from Victorian piers and bathing culture to the contemporary Turner Contemporary gallery and a lively arts scene. Historic layers run deep, with prehistoric and Roman activity, long‑standing ports and coastal defences, and literary links such as Charles Dickens in Broadstairs.

Economically, tourism is central and seasonal, complemented by creative industries, independent shops and a notable commuter population travelling to London and elsewhere in the South East. The area has seen waves of regeneration in recent years, bringing new businesses and cultural energy, although some wards still face social and economic challenges.