Explore Kent: Cosy Winter Walks Ideal for Family Days Out

There’s something quietly magical about Kent in winter. The coastline is quiet, fields glisten with frost, and everything feels much softer and slower. There are days which are made for long walks. My husband and I call these bluebird days – those winter mornings where the sky is clear and the air is crisp and still. On these days, what’s more perfect than pulling on your walking boots, filling a flask and stepping outside. Whether it’s a stroll through Knole Park as the wind whispers between the oak leaves, or a wander along Whitstable’s shoreline, Kent’s winter walks offer a kind of charm that speaks to everyone.

Here are my top three cosy walks this winter that also offer a promise of something comforting - be it a drink by an open fire, a cosy meal or a cup of something warm. These walks can be found on All Trails – an app which includes maps, distances and reviews, which is perfect for planning adventures.

Broadstairs to Margate (10km coastal walk)

There’s a quiet beauty along the coastline between Margate and Broadstairs. Chalk cliffs rise pale against the sea and rock pools glisten in the winter light. This coastal walk carries you past secret coves and weathered beach huts. Both Broadstairs and Margate feel caught between nostalgia and newness, where Victorian coastal town charm meets trendy restaurants, cafes and bars. This walk is beautiful all year-round, but in winter it takes on a different kind of calm. The paths are quieter and even the usually busy Botany Bay feels still.

The route runs for around 10km and can be enjoyed in either direction - or, if you’re in the mood for a little more time by the water, you can simply turn back and make it twenty. You can start and finish the walk at either Margate or Broadstairs, as both towns sit on the same train line, or if you’re driving you can park at one end and hop on a short train ride back to collect your car. The walk is mostly pram and bike friendly, with just a short stretch of farmland before Joss Bay that might call for a quick pram lift. For a perfect start, begin the walk with something warm from Forts in Broadstairs - who serve up beautifully crafted coffee, delicious baked goods and a wonderful food menu.

Leaving Broadstairs, you’ll pass a string of well-known bays - Stone Bay, Joss Bay and Kingsgate Bay, and the stunning white tower of North Foreland lighthouse. Around the half- way point, at Kingsgate Bay, you’ll find The Captain Digby - a welcoming stop for a drink, especially if you’re walking with children (there’s a playground both inside and outside).

From Kingsgate Bay, when the tide is low, you can take the lower route to Margate, following the curve of the beach instead of the clifftops. Both are equally stunning and offer their own view of the coast. During this section, you’ll pass Botany Bay – where the chalk formations rise above the sand and the tide moves slowly in and out.

When you finally reach Margate, you’ll be spoilt for choice for cosy cafes and restaurants – perfect for something comforting after your walk. A few favourites: Forts (worth two visits in one day), Curve, Palms, Sargasso (below), Pomus and Angela’s.

Herne Bay to Whitstable (10km coastal walk)

The coastline between Herne Bay and Whitstable feels beautifully different to the one between Broadstairs and Margate. Here the land is flatter, the sky feels wider, and the sea is gentler. Stretches of shingle and colourful beach huts mark the route between the two coastal towns.

The coastal route is 11km and like my first coastal walk, can be completed in either direction, or if you have a little more time, you can turn back and double the route. You can start or finish the walk at either Herne Bay or Whitstable who both have train stations, or if you’re driving you can park at one end and hop on the train for a short journey back to your car.

For the perfect start in Herne Bay, start with a coffee from Garage Coffee Roasters. From there, you can wander along the promenade and the pier with their Victorian charm. From Herne Bay the path meanders past open beaches, weathered beach huts and salt-kissed marshes.

The route is both pram and bike friendly, with a small stretch of nature reserve between Swalecliffe and Tankerton Beach that may require some gentle handling.

If you’re in need of a cosy stop before you reach Whitstable, around the 6km mark, you’ll find Jo Jo’s, a seafront restaurant in the heart of Tankerton. In Tankerton, if the coast is low, you’ll also find The Street, a shingle strip about half a mile in length, sweeping out into the sea.

By the time you reach Whitstable, the town’s fishing heritage and cosy cafes make for a perfect finish. There’s a quiet joy in wandering the harbour, spotting the bright-painted oyster boats, and lingering over a plate of fresh oysters in the winter. A few favourite spots in Whitstable include: Wheelers, Grain and Hearth, Sea Farmers Dive, The Forge and Porto Wine Bar. Or for a fancier treat, stroll all the way to Seasalter (an additional 6km), and visit Michelin-starred The Sportsman (pre-booking is required).

Knole Park (various routes)

There’s so much beauty in the rolling landscape of Knole Park. Towering oak trees, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, and the sight of roaming deer, make Knole Park a magical place to be any time of year. Spring brings a season of quiet renewal, with the first flowers coming through, whilst Autumn drapes the park in warm copper leaves.

In winter the beauty of Knole Park is pared back and serene - bare branches, pale sky, and frost sparkling across the fields in the morning. A winter walk here feels quiet and contemplative, especially in the company of the park’s roaming deer. Nestled next to Sevenoaks, Knole Park offers a variety of walking routes. Most are circular, easy to follow and perfect for families. At the heart of Knole Park, sits Knole House. It’s grandeur and history make it a compelling stop during any walk. For something longer, you can link your walk to Ightham Mote, a national trust manor house.

You can visit the park by car, or by taking a train to Sevenoaks. Parking is free in the park for National Trust members, or there are various parking spots dotted around the perimeter of the park.

After the walk, there are a few cosy spots nearby to warm up. In Godden Green, The Bucks Head (below) is perfect - roaring open fires, exposed log beams and a menu designed for comfort, especially their Sunday Roast. If you’re starting from Sevenoaks, The Chequers is worth a detour – another super cosy pub with burgers that rival some of London’s finest.