Thanet isn’t just sand, sea and donkey rides – it’s a slice of Kent that keeps reinventing itself. While the golden bays draw the crowds, there’s a whole world of history, culture and nature waiting just inland. With 2026 shaping up to be a banner year for the Isle’s museums and venues, now’s the perfect time to dig a little deeper. Here’s a long‑form guide to the events, places and experiences that should be on your radar.
Major milestones and festivals in 2026
Powell‑Cotton Museum’s centenary
The Powell‑Cotton Museum at Quex Park is celebrating 100 years of the charity that looks after its remarkable collection. Throughout 2026 the trust will host collection talks, garden activities and art and music events. The year‑long programme is designed to encourage 100 creative responses to the museum’s natural history dioramas and cultural artefacts, reflecting the museum’s roots as the personal collection of explorer Percy Powell‑Cotton and his daughters.
Turner Contemporary’s Winter Wellness Festival and 15th birthday
Between 30 January and 22 February 2026, Margate’s Turner Contemporary hosts its first Winter Wellness Festival – a series of workshops, talks and creative sessions aimed at exploring wellbeing through art and conversation. Just weeks later, April marks the gallery’s 15th anniversary, and the celebrations include exhibitions ranging from Bridget Riley’s kinetic prints to a David Hockney Sunley Window display. The milestone underscores why Turner said the skies over Thanet are “the loveliest in all Europe.”
New dining experiences at Chapel House Estate
Launching in February 2026, Chapel House Estate near Minster opens The Courtyard Kitchen, an open‑fire dining space with barbecue grills, spit roasts and a wood‑fired pizza oven. Guests can watch chefs cook over flames while sipping local wines and beers in a glass‑walled garden setting – perfect for a romantic evening or a celebratory feast.
Operation Dynamo returns to Ramsgate
In May, Ramsgate Royal Harbour commemorates Operation Dynamo with a four‑day festival of little ships. Following the 85th anniversary commemorations in 2025, 2026’s event will feature military vehicle displays, parades, workshops and more. Watching the small flotilla return to the harbour is an emotional reminder of the town’s role in the Dunkirk evacuations.
New Padel club at Westwood Cross
Spring 2026 sees Thanet’s first dedicated padel club open at Westwood Cross. The centre will include state‑of‑the‑art courts, a coastal‑inspired café bar and wellness facilities. Padel – a blend of tennis and squash – is easy to pick up, social and suitable for all ages, making it ideal for holidaymakers looking for something new to try.
Explore nature and history beyond the coast
Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve
This sprawling reserve on the western edge of Thanet is a mosaic of inter‑tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle, sand dunes, ancient dune pasture, chalk cliffs and coastal scrub. It is internationally important for waders and wildfowl, and Highland cattle and even Konik horses help maintain its habitats. The Sustrans Route 15 cycle path passes through the reserve, linking up with the Viking Coastal Trail around Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Families can enjoy bird‑watching from the hide, strolls along the solid path (wheelchair accessible) or a picnic with sweeping views across the Stour estuary.
St Peter’s Village Tour
Hidden away in Broadstairs is an award‑winning walking tour run by volunteers. The 2026 season runs weekly from mid‑May to mid‑September. Guides in costume lead small groups around the flint‑built St Peter’s Church and its churchyard, recounting tales of workhouse life, breakfast concerts hosted by the Newbolt family, towers used during the Napoleonic wars and colourful local characters. Tours last about two and a half hours, include a tea or coffee break and request a £5 donation. It’s a brilliant way to peel back layers of social history while enjoying a gentle walk.
Monkton Nature Reserve
Set in a disused 16‑acre chalk quarry near Ramsgate, Monkton Nature Reserve offers tranquil walks through chalk grassland, woodland and aquatic habitats. The onsite Field Study Centre contains archaeological and natural history exhibits, a second‑hand bookshop and a café. Modest entry fees (£5 for adults) give access to trails dotted with benches and family‑friendly activities such as sculpture, fossil and fairy trails. Annual memberships start at £15, making it a great option for frequent visitors.
RAF Manston Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum
History buffs shouldn’t miss the chance to see a real Spitfire and Hurricane up close. The RAF Manston museum displays the two iconic aircraft alongside artefacts that tell the story of life in and around Ramsgate during WWII. Admission is free, and there’s a small shop and café for refreshments. The museum’s Allied Air Crew Memorial Garden invites visitors to sit quietly and reflect, and the entire site is fully accessible on one level. It’s open all year, Tuesday through Sunday, with extended hours on Bank Holiday Mondays.
Dive into Thanet’s micro‑pub culture
Thanet lays claim to the highest concentration of micro‑pubs in the country. The trend started when The Butcher’s Arms opened just along the coast at Herne Bay in 2005, and more intimate pubs have appeared ever since. Ramsgate’s Gadds’ brewery, established in 2002, pours ales with seaside‑themed names, while Margate’s NorthDown Brewery (launched in 2018) turns Kentish hops into beers, ciders and perries. Xylo pairs its micro‑brewery with sunset views from a seafront bar. If you time your visit for spring or autumn, Broadstairs hosts three‑day food festivals where you can sample cheeses, pickles, breads and local wines and ciders. Hopping between micro‑pubs on the Loop bus is a relaxed way to explore the towns while keeping thirst at bay.
The Powell‑Cotton Museum and Quex Park
The Powell‑Cotton Museum sits within Quex Park in Birchington and was founded by explorer Percy Powell‑Cotton in 1896. Today it houses his personal natural history collection and artefacts gathered by his daughters. Nine galleries display large mammals, cultural objects from Africa and Asia, archaeology, anthropology, ceramics and weaponry. The museum connects to the ground floor of Quex House, a stately home surrounded by historic walled gardens. Guided tours reveal the family’s travels, while visitors can roam the lawns, woodland and Victorian kitchen garden at their own pace. During the centenary year, expect special exhibitions and family activities as part of the wider celebrations mentioned earlier.
Practical tips and final thoughts
- Timing your visit – Many of the tours and events listed above are seasonal, running from late spring to autumn. Check official websites for up‑to‑date schedules and booking details.
- Transport – Thanet is compact. You can cycle the Viking Coastal Trail or hop on the Loop bus, which links Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Bring comfortable shoes for village walks and nature trails.
- Supporting local – Whether you’re drinking a pint in a micro‑pub, buying a ticket for a museum talk or donating on a guided tour, your contributions keep Thanet’s independent attractions thriving.
From centenary celebrations to secret nature reserves and micro‑pub crawls, Thanet in 2026 promises far more than a day at the beach. Dive in, explore and let the isle’s quirky charm surprise you.
About the Author
