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'Our English Watering Place'

Updated: Nov 9, 2020

Please abide by current Covid-19 guidelines and check for updates before visiting Broadstairs. Every 3rd week in June since 1937, a festival is held in Broadstairs to celebrate the illustrious life and works of the great Victorian novelist Charles Dickens. Alas, as with all large gatherings in 2020 the Broadstairs Dickens Festival  has had to take a fallow year. The Broadstairs Apartments team is pleased to hear that this well-loved Bradstonian institution hopes to stage a play at the Sarah Thorne theatre in the near future instead. We are impatient for the festival's return in 2021!


Picturesque Dickens Museum. © Acabashi/Wikimedia Commons Famously, as a young man Charles Dickens first came to Broadstairs in 1837, having already found literary success with his serialisation of The Pickwick Papers. Soon after, he acquired a house on Albion Street and worked on Nicholas Nickleby. Over the years he developed a fondness for Broadstairs and returned regularly with his growing family, writing both Barnaby Rudge and David Copperfield


Dickens Festival in its heyday at Bleak House As most Broadstairs residents and visitors often observe, many a building in the town is honoured with a small plaque notifying us that Charles Dickens lived there at some point. Bleak House, sitting proudly above Broadstairs harbour, is Dickens' most famous place of residence and where he wrote 'Our English Watering Place' in 1851 as an affectionate tribute to our little seaside town: "Half awake and half asleep, this idle morning in our sunny window on the edge of a chalk-cliff in the old-fashioned watering-place to which we are a faithful resorter, we feel a lazy inclination to sketch its picture."


Broadstairs is a pretty now as it was in Dickens' time. © E Duffy When the Dickens Festival began in 1937, it was born out of an idea of Broadstairs local Gladys Waterer. She lived in the quaint Dickens House on the promenade and wanted to commemorate the centenary of Dickens' first visit. In an inspired moment, she conceived a residents' production of David Copperfield. To publicise it Mrs Waterer organised to have people about the town in Victorian dress and it was so successful the tradition continues to this day.


Dickensian ladies bathing. © visitthanet.co.uk Some fantastic events are put on during the festival by the Dickens Fellowship and enthusiastic volunteers. All manner of theatrical and musical performances, readings and costume talks take place, as well as the very popular Country Fair on Victoria Gardens. Don't forget to visit Bleak House and the wonderful Dickens Museum too. The Dickens Fellowship itself is in fact a global organisation of the prolific writers' aficionados. The Broadstairs branch of dedicated Dickens admirers meets monthly throughout the year and welcomes visitors. You can see a video here of a previous festival in full swing.


Queen Victoria and her ladies-in-waiting visit the Dickens Festival. © broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk Staying in Broadstairs during the Dickens Festival is great fun, if only to bump into an array of delightful Dickensian characters strolling around town. You will be treated to the Victorian bathers in their flannel swimming suits down on Viking Bay. Finely turned out ladies stroll the promenade in bustled frocks, shading themselves with parasols. Often they are accompanied by gentlemen sporting tailored coats, top hats and walking sticks. A costume parade kicks off the proceedings and you will be delighted by this Victorian spectacle. Photo opportunities abound! 




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Welcome to Broadstairs Apartments – Stylish Coastal Stays for Every Traveller

Located in the heart of Broadstairs, just minutes from the beach, Broadstairs Apartments offers a collection of beautifully designed, self-catering holiday apartments—each with its own character, modern comforts, and thoughtful touches. Whether you're planning a family holiday, a couple’s getaway, or a group trip, you'll find the perfect base with us.

🌿 The Garden Apartment

Spacious and sun-filled, this ground floor apartment has its own front door to the side of the building. It features three individually styled bedrooms, a south-facing terrace, and private fenced rear garden with gate to the rear. Ideal for families or groups of up to six, with easy access and dog-friendly options available.

☀️ The Sunshine Apartment

Bright and airy with a warm, homely feel, this two-bedroom apartment includes an en-suite master bedroom and twin room—perfect for small families or couples. Enjoy an open-plan kitchen, communal gardens, and close proximity to the coast.

🌳 The Garden View Apartment

Offering two large double bedrooms—both with en-suite bathrooms—this apartment is perfect for couples holidaying together or families who value a bit of extra privacy. Stylishly furnished with a modern kitchen/dining area and access to shared garden spaces.

📚 The Loft Living Apartment

A cosy, top-floor retreat ideal for a small family or peaceful escape. This two-bedroom apartment includes a king-size bedroom and a second room with a single and toddler bed, plus a reading nook and loft windows flooding the space with natural light.

🌼 Shared Communal Garden Area

All apartments share access to our beautifully landscaped communal garden, designed by local artist Sara Jackson. The space features:
• Hot tub - Prior booking slot required. Addtional £50 fee to use. 
• Beach hut-style dining area
• Fire pit and seating
• BBQ stands (One disposable BBQ, utensils & Plastic flutes all provided within your apartment)
• Secure bike storage
• Outdoor games and hidden extras
Why Choose Broadstairs Apartments?
• Central Broadstairs location – just 15 minutes to the beach
• Modern amenities in every apartment
• One allocated parking space & on street parking too, superfast Wi-Fi & smart TVs
• Family and dog-friendly options available
• Supportive team, welcome pack & helpful local recommendations
• Michelin-quality dining and vibrant bars nearby
Book Your Stay Today
Explore our apartment availability using the calendar or browse each listing in more detail.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Broadstairs Apartments—your perfect home-from-home by the sea.
Have a question?
No matter how big or small, we’re happy to help.
Reach out via email, social media channels, or call us on 01843 601483.

01843 601 483

Gladstone Rd, Broadstairs, England CT10 2JA

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