Travel info

We are situated on the southeastern tip of Kent, a unique location that affords us a more temperate climate than some other parts of the country.  Excellent road and rail links from London means that getting here is quick and easy, even the continent is just a hop across the Channel, as we are closer to France than our county town of Maidstone.

By road

Excellent road links with the M20 and M2 motorways close by provide easy links from London and its airports via the M25 orbital motorway.  Helpful route planners are:
www.multimap.com
www.theaa.com

National Express runs a national network of coach services.  Express coaches run from London Victoria to Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and villages and take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. 
Tel: +44 (0) 870 580 8080
Tel: +44 (0) 870 608 2608 (disabled persons travel helpline)
Textphone: +44 (0) 121 455 0086

If you’re travelling from the continent you can drive straight onto the Eurotunnel train at Calais and in just 35 minutes you’ll arrive in Folkestone.  From Folkestone it is approximately a 1 hour drive to Thanet on the A20 and A256.

For information on local bus services:

Stagecoach

Tel: +44 (0) 870 243 3711 (general)
Tel: +44 (0) 870 608 2608 (for information on specific bus times or journeys www.stagecoachbus.com

Eastonways

Tel: +44 (0) 1843 588944
www.eastonways.co.uk

By rail

There are frequent trains between London Victoria and Charing Cross, and Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.  Journey times are approximately 1 hour 50 minutes (Victoria) and 2 hours (Charing Cross).

National Rail enquiries
Tel: +44 (0) 8457 48 49 50
Tel: +44 (0) 845 000 2211 (impaired access information)
Textphone +44 (0) 845 605 0600
www.nationalrail.co.uk

Southeastern Trains

Tel: + 44 (0) 845 000 2222
www.southeasternrailway.co.uk

The Eurostar passenger terminal in Ashford can connect with trains to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate (journey time approximately 20 to 40 minutes).  Eurostar international service runs to Ashford and London from Brussels, Lille and Paris.
Tel: +44 (0) 8705 186 186
www.eurostar.com

By sea

Transeuropa Ferries  operate a relaxed and uncrowded service between Ostend in Belgium and Ramsgate.  There are four passenger car sailings in each direction per day. with bistro style bars, cafeteria and restaurants offering attractive cuisine with an appealing selection of wines and beers.  You can watch a movie or book a cabin.
Tel: +44 (0) 1843 595522 (UK)
Tel: 00 32 (0) 59 340 260 (Belgium)
www.transeuropaferries.com

Other useful contact details for Dover to Calais operators:

P & O Ferries

Tel: +44 (0) 8705 980 333
www.poferries.com

Seafrance

Tel: +44 (0) 8704 431 653
www.seafrance.co.uk

Norfolk Line (Dover to Dunkirk)

Tel: +44 (0) 8708 701 020
www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk

By air

From London Gatwick Airport it is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes drive to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, whilst Heathrow Airport is approximately a 2 hours drive away.  Stansted, Luton and London City airports are all up to 3 hours drive away.

Visitors arriving at any of London’s airports, who wish to travel by public transport to the area, must first travel to central London and change to a connecting coach or train service.
www.gatwickexpress.com

Kent International Airport

Flights to the Algarve, Benidorm and Majorca between May and October.  Scheduled passenger flights to UK domestic and short haul European destinations are expected to commence in the near future. 
Tel: +44 (0) 8707 605 755
www.kia-m.com