There's a crisp bite to the air, the nights are drawing in and thoughts turn to autumn activities such as brisk walks through crunchy leaves, but have you ever considered the coast for a visit at this time of year? Here are six reasons why you should visit Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate this autumn!

Stunning coastal walks - at this time of year the beaches are so peaceful and the Isle of Thanet coastline has some of the best, most breath-taking sandy stretches in the country. Perfect for strolls with the dog. Stop at a cafe or fortify yourself with something stronger at one of the clifftop coastal pubs! Or explore with the Active Ramsgate programme of walks including 'Beach Roamer' and 'Sea It All'. www.ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate 

A new exhibition at Turner Contemporary - spark, challenge and enrich your imagination with a visit to see the masterly giant abstracts by Patrick Heron, which opens on 19 October. If this whets your artistic appetite, you can also drop into some of the Isle's other inspiring galleries and studios showcasing local, regional and national artists. Make a note to return in autumn 2019 when Turner Contemporary hosts the iconic Turner Prize! Free entry. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. www.turnercontemporary.org and www.visitthanet.co.uk/galleries  

Two new attractions - a new escape room has opened in Ramsgate and one of their four themed rooms, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (due to open on 9 October) is aimed solely at children, is this a first? The room can be booked for between two and eight people and prices are from £14 per person. www.breakout-room.co.uk 

In Margate you can putt your way through dense jungle at Lost Island Adventure Golf, which is indoors, so suitable in all weather. Open Monday to Thursday from 10am-8pm and Friday to Sunday from 10am-9pm. Adventurers £7, Explorers (under 14s) £5, mini Explorers (under 1m tall) £3, concessions, group, and family tickets also available - www.lostislandgolf.co.uk 

Halloween high jinx - two spine tingling Halloween experiences are on offer - if you're brave enough. Screamland, set in Dreamland, is a live, immersive and theatrical experience with seven scare attractions - Dreamland Sleep Experiment, Mary Decomposed, Tunnels of Terror, The Upside Down, Festino's Funhouse, Dead and Breakfast and Punch and Judy Horrorshow. 13 October (preview night), 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and 31 October, open from 6pm to 11pm with last entry at 9pm. Variety of ticket options and prices. www.dreamland.co.uk/screamland 

QuExtreme Terror is set within the eerie surroundings of Quex Park's forest areas, maize field and woodland trails with themes of Contagion, The Harvest and Sinister - can you survive pure evil? 26, 27 and 28 October, gates open at 6:30pm with last entry at 8:30pm. Early Bird ticket from £12.50, standard ticket from £17.50. Strictly over 12s only. www.quexevents.co.uk 

Family fun explorer packs - don't just visit the beach, explore it with a Coastal Explorer Pack. Delve into the pack and discover activities, challenges and games linked to the area's unique natural environment and rich heritage stories. Learn how to make a sundial and use a compass, or use the marine identification gear and become a real rocky shore explorer. Bags are just £5 to hire, plus proof of identification. www.visitthanet.co.uk/coastalexplorers 

The Viking Coastal Trail - known as the most attractive leisure cycling route in Kent, the Viking Coastal Trail circles the whole of the Isle of Thanet coastline before cutting back across quiet lanes and past ancient churches, 32 miles in total. The route can be broken down into smaller chunks for a more leisurely ride and much of the coastal element is along traffic free promenades, so perfect for families. www.vikingcoastaltrail.co.uk 

Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate can be reached from London in 85, 77 and 72 minutes respectively on Southeastern's high-speed rail service from St. Pancras International.

For further information on Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate and accommodation in the area go to www.visitthanet.co.uk 

ENDS

Press enquiries:
Please contact Julie Edwards at Thanet Tourism on 01843 577671 or julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk 

We can also assist with, digital images, reader competitions and press trips - we can arrange bespoke packages including accommodation and sightseeing for journalists with commissions.