Skip the Margate crowds this summer and carry on to the Isle of Sheppey, where the small parish of Minster on Sea sits on the island's northern coast. It's about 50 miles east of London and 45 miles west of Margate, and it packs a surprising amount into a compact area: a 1,300-year-old church, a beach that won a Seaside Award in 2025, and some genuinely good seafood.

History here starts with Minster Abbey — the Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Sexburgha — one of the oldest churches in the UK still holding services. A monastery stood on the site as early as A.D. 664 before Danish raiders wrecked it in the ninth century; the current building dates to the 12th century and occupies the island's highest hill. Inside are the de Northwode brasses from 1330 and medieval tombs, including one belonging to Robert de Shurland, who according to local legend was killed by his own horse after a witch's prophecy. Next door, the 12th-century abbey gatehouse now works as the Minster Gatehouse Museum, complete with the original spiral staircase and a roof terrace with wide views over the town.

When hunger hits, the town keeps it simple and fresh. Hundal Grill and Fish Bar is a well-liked takeaway earning praise for generous, freshly cooked fish and chips, while The Shack at Brambledown serves salmon and king prawns in a laid-back outdoor space that sometimes hosts local musicians.

The main event, though, is Minster Leas Beach — a sand-and-shingle stretch that picked up a 2025 Seaside Award for cleanliness and safety. Windsurfing and sea-glass hunting are popular, and behind the beach there's a promenade for walkers and cyclists plus free-to-use outdoor gym equipment. Barton's Point Coastal Park is a short walk away: 40 acres with a saltwater lake where you'll find ducks, swans and crabs, and calm fishing water.

Birders should push on to Elmley Nature Reserve at the island's south, a 3,300-acre site where barn owls, peregrines, geese and sparrowhawks live, with guided nature safaris on offer. Keen walkers can also tap into the King Charles III England Coast Path — the world's longest coastal route at 2,700 miles — of which 28 miles run through the Isle of Sheppey, linking Minster on Sea to the rest of north Kent.

Who is this for? Travellers who want a classic English seaside break without the queues — history buffs, birdwatchers and anyone happy with fish and chips on a quiet shingle beach. It also works as an easy day trip from London or an add-on to a Kent coast itinerary, and the train from Margate via Ramsgate takes about half an hour.