Kent & Sussex Star in 2023 Coastal Events Calendar
With 2023 holidays top-of-mind, England’s Coast has compiled a coastal itinerary to ensure this year is filled with imaginative and unique experiences, from star gazing to seafood feasts, there’s an experience to suit every taste and budget.
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As 2023 is the Year of the Coast, the 50th anniversary of the South West Coast Path and the Year of the Pier, there’s never been a better time to plan a coastal visit. With new stretches of the England Cost Path opening this year, a packed events calendar and a rich maritime history, orbit somewhere new each month in 2023.
JANUARY
Put a spring in the New Year with markets around the coast
Kick-start the New Year as you mean to go on with a swim! Known to relax muscles, promote deep sleep and boost the immune system, it’s the perfect calorie-busting antidote to the festive excesses! But for a gentler start to 2023, stock up at one of the monthly food markets all around the coast. Some of the best are in Dartmouth, Malton in Yorkshire or Southsea, Portsmouth.
FEBRUARY
Learn to navigate the night sky in North York Moors Park
Truly a stargazer’s paradise, North York Moors Park offers some of the best dark skies in the country. Shake off any hint of a post-Christmas slump and embrace the opportunity to slow down the pace and reconnect with your mental and physical well-being at the Dark Skies Festival from 10th-26th February. Located on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park, Dalby Forest has some of the clearest starry night skies in the North of England and boasts the first-ever stargazing camp in the UK. On selected dates, guests can enjoy stargazing tours, learning about stars, constellations, star-hopping and how to navigate the night sky. For more information or to book your trip, visit englandscoast.com/en/listing/north-york-moors-national-park.
MARCH
Witness Dover’s best events of the year
The Dover Film is a collection of exciting key events taking place within the local community from the 5th-10th March. Taking place in Dover every year, there is much to enjoy from carnivals and regatta’s to sports events and civic ceremonies. Not to be missed, the Annual Dover Film can be seen on the big screen at the Silver Screen Community Cinema. For more information or to book your trip, visit englandscoast.com/en/listing/dover
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APRIL
All aboard! Take to the waters of Morecambe Bay on a sail trip
Take to the crashing waves and experience the views of Morecambe Bay from the sea with Bay Sea School. Join a professional skipper with space for up to four on board and enjoy a three-hour trip out at high tide. Stretching from the south-west coast of Cumbria to Fleetwood in Lancashire, discover the abundant wildlife and breath-taking wide-open vistas. For more information or to book your trip, visit: englandscoast.com/en/listing/morecambe-bay
MAY
Head down south for an unmissable line up at Brighton Fringe Festival
Brighton brings guests a month of quality entertainment from 5th May to 4th June. Hosting the freshest, most exciting acts on the comedy circuit, this masterfully curated line up offers the chance to witness future stars following in the footsteps of Jimmy Carr, Romesh Ranganathan, Seann Walsh, Angela Barnes and many more. Along with an unparalleled selection of stand up, the Fringe Fest attracts visitors from all over the country to celebrate the best of British music, theatre, and history. For more information on to book your trip to Brighton visit https://www.visitbrighton.com/whats-on/festivals/?p=4
Head to the south-east coast and embark on the Ramsgate to Whitstable England Coastal Path section due to open April 2023. This 29-mile stretch is the fourth section to open in Kent and offers excellent opportunities to see huge colonies of seabirds on the salt marshes and mud flats. It starts at Whitstable, famous for oysters since Roman times, and takes in the historic town of Faversham, the oldest market town in Kent. For more information or to book your trip, visit englandscoast.com/en/listing/margate
JUNE
Drink in the stunning sights of Swanage
Known for its beautiful beaches and stunning views of the surrounding countryside, Swanage is rich in history and brimming with a wide range of attractions and events. Ready to tease your taste buds? Head down on 10th & 11th June to the Swanage Fish Fest and sample all the fresh produce on offer, including fish, cockles, mussels, scallops, oysters, and champagne. Then, grab a drink and watch mastery take place through the preparation of a selection of seafood dishes from top local chefs or keep the kids entertained with sea themed crafts.
…Or enjoy water sports at Durham’s 190th Regatta
If you find yourself up on the north coast, set against the backdrop of a spectacular heritage sight, The Durham Regatta (taking place 10th & 11th June) not only offers thrilling racing, but also a variety of attractions for everyone. Attracting over 10,000 spectators every year, the entertainment from bands and performers along with a great selection of stalls to browse make it the perfect family event. For more information or to book your trip to the Durham Coast, visit englandscoast.com/en/explore-regions/durham-and-north-east.
JULY
Join in the celebration for South West Coast Path’s 50th Anniversary
The South West Coast Path Association is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year with plans to encourage more people to enjoy the beauty of the trail while reaping the health-giving benefits of taking in the bracing sea air. To mark the occasion, this year's Photographer of the Year competition will culminate in an inaugural exhibition to be held at Ocean Studios in Royal William Yard, Plymouth, June-July 2023. The theme for the competition this year is 'Inspired by the Coast'. With categories such as “My Path”, “Nature” and “Urban and Industrial Heritage” up for entering, participants have until 31st January to apply to be in with the chance of seeing their own work displayed at the event. For more information about the South West Coast Path, visit englandscoast.com/en/listing/south-west-coast-path
AUGUST
Head to the Isle of Wight for the international sailing event of the year
Returning to the Isle of Wight, 29th July to 4th August, Cowes Week is one of the oldest and largest sailing regatta’s in the world. Having started in 1826, the event is held in August each year on the Solent. Not only can you look forward to a week of action-packed competitive sailing, the regatta will feature marquees with live music, delicious food and open-air bars. For more information or to book your trip to the Isle of Wight, visit englandscoast.com/en/listing/cowes-and-east-cowes
SEPTEMBER
Fresh fish and seafood galore in Plymouth
Taking place on 17th & 18th September, the Plymouth Seafood and Harbour Festival brings visitors together in celebration of the incredible sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood on offer in Britain’s Ocean City. Watch chefs cooking up a storm from the cookery theatre, learn all the tricks of the trade while mooching around trader stalls and even some special treats to take away. Little ones will be kept very busy with a full agenda including scallop shell painting, ‘hook a duck’ with the Fisherman’s Mission and a walking trail to seek out the ten beautiful sea life illustrations by Debby Mason. The Great British Beach Clean is a great opportunity to give back, get involved with hundreds of beach cleans taking place up and down the UK. For more information or to book your trip, visit englandscoast.com/en/listing/weymouth.
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OCTOBER
Watch East Yorkshire’s blazing palette of gold at Autumn Daze Festival
East Yorkshire’s Autumn Daze Festival will take place in the oriental-themed Peasholm Park on 26th October and feature a whole range of free, autumn-themed activities set against the colourful seasonal backdrop of the park's impressive woodland. From bushcraft demonstrations to storytelling, marshmallow toasting to primitive fire-starting and craft activities to a scavenger hunt, there will be fun, adventure and a feel-good factor for all the family. For more information or to book your trip to the East Yorkshire Coast, visit englandscoast.com/en/explore-regions/yorkshire.
NOVEMBER
Essex’s twinkling dark skies
Get lost in the night time November skies. Head to the Essex coast and enjoy the magical landscape of marshland and lagoons on a walk from Southend-on-Sea to Wallasea Island. Truly a haven for a plethora of exciting wildlife, the track follows the coastline closely and maintains glorious views of the Crouch and Roach Estuaries. This route includes several lengths of newly opened paths, previously not open to the public on the south side of the island. For more information or to book your trip to the Essex Coast, visit: englandscoast.com/en/blog/where-to-go-the-essex-coast
DECEMBER
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Head to Bournemouth, Bridlington, or Portsmouth for magical Christmas markets, to Brighton for the Winter Solstice Parade and to Whitby for the annual Krampus Run! The coast twinkles with Christmas events and appearances from Santa himself. For more information or to book your trip to the South East Coast visit englandscoast.com/en/explore-regions/south-east
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Top & Homepage Image Dimitry Ljasuk on Unsplash
