If you’re dreaming of escaping for a holiday in Italy, ideally somewhere along the Amalfi Coast, but can’t afford the trip, we might have a solution for you.
That’s because there just so happens to be a coastal town in the UK that has been compared to the popular Italian destination.
Just two hours from London, you’ll find Ramsgate, a royal harbour town in Kent, which is described by Visit Ramsgate as having a ‘distinct continental feel’ and a ‘cosmopolitan atmosphere’.
On a sunny day, you could easily feel transported abroad as you sit outside at one of the many waterfront bars, cafes, or restaurants the town has to offer, enjoying stunning views across the marina.
The town also has a mixture of artisan and boutique shops to explore, with bright, colourful buildings lining the streets and picturesque chalk cliff coastline, with award-winning sandy beaches.
One spot in town that has drawn particular comparison to the Amalfi Coast is the Boating Pool on the Westcliff Promenade, a family-friendly venue which has a big round boating pool, with palm trees lining the outside.
There’s also two large, grand Italian renaissance-style pavilions, which wrap around the water. On one side you’ll find a bar, and on the other a cafe, serving up fry-ups, burgers, and more.
KentOnline recently hailed the spot ‘dazzling’ and ‘picturesque’ and even compared the location to Italy, saying: ‘If you told someone you were on the Amalfi Coast they’d believe it.’
They added: ‘And, if the Grade II-listed site wasn’t already ticking plenty of aesthetically pleasing boxes, the sparkling blue of the sea over the cliff-top on which it is perched shimmers to provide the icing on the cake.’
The boating pool has numerous fans online as well, with one Tripadvisor reviewer saying: ‘This stunning location right on top of the cliffs overlooking Ramsgate harbour and out towards the picturesque town of Sandwich. The views are amazing.The food is very very good.’
Another gave it five stars, writing: ‘Unexpected find on the water with great views and great beer.’
If this weren’t enough to sell you on Ramsgate, then you might be interested to learn that the town is also home to the world’s biggest Wetherspoons.
Located inside a grade II listed pavilion that’s more than 100 years old, the building was originally intended as a concert hall and assembly rooms when it was first built in 1903.
Since then it’s been used as a nightclub, and casino, but shut down in 2008 before Wetherspoons transformed it into a pub.
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