Viking Bay: timeless charm and golden light – Locations in Thanet
Thanet is a peninsula on the far edge of east Kent. An island by geography and spirit, encircled by the sea on three sides. Its coastline is a mosaic of wild chalk cliffs, tidal beaches and atmospheric towns, offering incredible diversity for photography and storytelling. Just 75 minutes from London by rail, it’s both accessible and wildly cinematic. Viking Bay is one of Thanet’s most iconic beaches, nestled in the heart of Broadstairs.
Viking Bay’s romantic seafront charm, Victorian bandstand and golden curve of sand, makes it a place where nostalgia meets natural beauty. Perfect for soulful, coastal storytelling. I grew up here, chasing light through sea mist and seaweed, barefoot in tidal pools, watching weather roll in across the horizon. My work as a visual storyteller is rooted in these edges, in the spaces where earth, sea and sky meet.
What the landscape is like
Viking Bay offers a sweeping crescent of soft golden sand. Flanked by chalky cliffs and set against a promenade of charming period buildings. There’s a tidal pool at one end, a working harbour and picturesque beach huts that line the curve like pastel punctuation marks.
This beach merges the energy of the sea with a nostalgic town backdrop. Making it a powerful location for visual narratives wanting to blend romance, heritage and wild coastal atmosphere.
Light and tide
Viking Bay is east-facing, catching gorgeous early light and often bathed in warm tones at sunrise and golden hour. Late afternoon light reflects off the chalk and architecture, creating luminous, honeyed tones, especially in spring and autumn.
The beach is fully exposed at low tide. The shimmering wet sand and reflections make it a dream for minimalist, emotive shots. At high tide, the Viking Bay feels more enclosed and intimate. Perfect for tighter, detailed compositions with a more immersive feel.
Accessibility and facilities
- Access: Steep paths and steps from the promenade, or lift access (seasonal)
- Facilities: Public toilets, cafés, beach kiosk, restaurants and shops nearby
- Parking: Pay-and-display options within Broadstairs town centre
- Dogs: Restricted May–Sept, 10am–6pm
It’s one of the more visitor-ready beaches in Thanet, making Viking Bay ideal for full-day shoots with amenities close at hand.
Work with me at Viking Bay
I regularly photograph at Viking Bay, guiding purpose-led brands and soulful creatives to tell stories that connect people, place and planet. If your brand holds a sense of romance, legacy or nature-connected beauty at its heart, this beach may be the perfect place to tell that story.
Get in touch here and let’s explore the wild edge together.
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About me
Hey my love, I’m Rebecca. A visual storyteller, unleashing the power of photo and video to rewilding our connection to nature. I am also an AuDHD – an autistic ADHDer.
By illuminating the liminal space where myth, magick and intellect meet, we ignite collective curiosity, enchantment and awe to empower the healing of people and planet.
My work as a photographer and ocean storyteller has taken me from the wild coasts of Scotland to the wild edges of Iceland.
It was with immense gratitude and a sense of deepening purpose that a story I captured gain 2nd Place in the Conservation (Impact) category for Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024.
As President of the Board of Trustees for Whale Wise and a Marine Mammal Medic with BDMLR, I advocate for our blue planet through powerful visuals and purpose-driven narratives.
Together, let’s embrace the wild edges where of people, place, and planet meet.
Fill your winter nights with wonder
Chasing the aurora borealis
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE: HOW TO SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH aurora borealis
There are 7 sections & 34 lessons which dive into, guiding you step-by-step through my framework for chasing the aurora. There’s a handy checklist you either print off or save to an album in your phone gallery – super handy for when you’re out and about on your aurora adventure.
