Hi there, I'm Tom

I’m Tom Keenan, a luxury wedding photographer specialising in editorial and documentary styles. I capture genuine, timeless moments across Kent, Cambridge, and beyond. Explore my portfolio to see how I can bring your wedding day to life.

Engagement Shoot Locations in Thanet: 15 Best Romantic Spots

April 14, 2026

Engagements

Although I grew up in Deal, my story started in Margate. Now that I live in Ramsgate I have to tell you, there’s just so many amazing engagement shoot locations in Thanet. Maybe it’s the way the coastline wraps around you, or the mix of quiet, tucked-away spots and more iconic seaside locations. You have so many to choose from and I want to take you through the best ones.

I’ve photographed all along this stretch of Kent since 2012, and what I’ve learned is that the location itself can make or break how comfortable and authentic people feel when a camera is in front of them.

This guide isn’t a list of “pretty places” but it’s a breakdown of the best locations in Thanet for romantic engagement shoots I have used personally and that actually work in practice.

TLDR

Kent is full of epic places to get photographed in, but here’s a comprehensive list of the best engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

Ramsgate Royal Harbour – best place to start with variety and movement
Ramsgate Main Sands – relaxed open and close to the harbour
Ramsgate East Cliff – quieter coastal views with softer evening light
Ramsgate Western Undercliff – more rugged, textured, less polished but lots of variety
Ramsgate Boating Pool – a bit different from the sea, potentially editorial
Pegwell Bay – calm, open, documentary feel
Sandwich – historic streets, cute quay and softer inland textures
Viking Bay – classic seaside, best timed carefully (hello weather)
Joss Bay – wide, open beach with a clean, minimal feel
Dumpton Gap – quieter and more intimate coastal setting with beach huts
Courtstairs Westcliff Chine – hidden gem with greenery and softer textures
West Cliff Rose Gardens – seasonal colour and softness when in bloom (ideal for Summer)
Ellington Park – structured greenery and a more classic portraiture feel
Albion House – refined architecture and an editorial backdrop, ideal if shooting indoors
Botany Bay – iconic cliffs, best used carefully during low tide

Why Thanet Works So Well for Engagement Shoots

Thanet gives you diverse range in close proximity without overcomplicating travel arrangements.

If you don’t live here and want to Visit Thanet just know that within a short drive, you can move from structured harbour scenes to open beaches, then onto cliffs or quieter green spaces. Even beautiful independent coffee shops! That variety means your gallery looks like it was shot on different days, providing you bring changes of outfits.

If you’re already exploring options locally, it might be worth seeing how I approach family photography in Thanet or a broader take on seaside wedding photography in Thanet. The same approach carries across. While you’re at it, check out my couple and engagement shoot page too.

Ramsgate Royal Harbour

If you’re only choosing one of these engagement shoot locations in Thanet, this is usually where I’d start especially if you have just got engaged. There are lots of car parks around including by Wetherspoons, the multi-story, and two hours free in Waitrose

The downside is that there is lots going on and lots people around. Boats, reflections, architecture. It gives you layers but can be a bit busy if you don’t know the best engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

Ramsgate Main Sands

Right next to the harbour, but much less busy and more playful by the way it is a wide open space with a sea defence wall.

This is where people tend to walk and run freely. It pairs really well with the harbour in that it is in walking distance without the need for travelling.

Ramsgate East Cliff

A quieter stretch less open than the main sands and without people spectating from Wetherspoons, it also has lots of cliffs and more random stones on the ground.

It’s good when you want sea views without the busier energy of the main sands. The light here can be really soft in the evening but just always make a note of tide times when you plan to visit. I even shot this Intimate Winter Wedding here when it was chilly, but still lovely.

Ramsgate Western Undercliff

One of the more underrated spots but arguably one of the best engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

You’ve got textures, depth, and a slightly more rugged feel. It works well when you want something a bit less polished. Easy parking nearby the Boating pool and the streets leading down to the cliff edge.

Ramsgate Boating Pool

A slightly unexpected one, but it works in the right circumstances.

The pool itself is a bit rough and ready, but when the sun is out the stillness of the water gives you something different to the sea. It’s quite European but also unmistakably British, which often makes the images feel nostalgic.

Prepare to pay handsomely for use of the pedalo’s though, especially if you’re wanting the pool to yourself which would be quite a hard ask.

Pegwell Bay

A little restrictive but great if you have dogs and don’t mind a long walk.

I’ve written more about it in this Pegwell Bay shoot, but it’s just as strong for engagement sessions. You can’t exactly walk onto the beach but you’re right near the sea and Sandwich is a 5 minute drive down the road and definitely a brilliant option for engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

Sandwich

Just down the road, but a completely different feel, and the parking can at times be a pain.

You’ve got historic streets, softer textures, and more shelter from the wind. It’s ideal if you want something less coastal but still full of character. The Quay is beautiful with willow trees nearby, and there are some really special pubs too. If you struggle with driving maybe book a taxi as the oneway streets can get a little confusing.

It’s not quite Thanet, but neither is Canterbury – check out my weddings in Canterbury page here.

Viking Bay

Bride and groom walking on road in Broadstairs during the rain

Classic seaside in Broadstairs, prepare to get your socks blown off if it’s a windy day so check the weather.

Best early morning or off-season, but when it works, it feels relaxed and nostalgic in the right way. Steep walks, quiet flowery corners and loads of coffee shops and ice cream parlours for editorial photos. For a modern romantic seaside elopement we even asked Palace Cinema for some time for a photo shoot of a newlywed couple which they happily obliged for us.

Joss Bay

Harder to get to, more open yet still quite busy compared to some of the other beaches. If you like surf this place is for you (with the right conditions, which let’s be real, is rare!).

It’s great for wide, minimal frames and letting couples just move naturally. Shelter with the cliffs is easy and there are nice grassy areas along the clifftops for photos too.

Dumpton Gap

Quieter and more enclosed. The steepest walk imaginable to get down there with beach huts all around. If you have limited mobility or sore knees this isn’t the place for you.

Good for a more intimate feel with the variety of the beach huts. Sunset also hits differently and if the tide is out you can walk all the way back round to Ramsgate making it one of the more adventurous engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

Courtstairs Westcliff Chine

Right on the edge of Ramsgate, this is a special walkway that takes you down to the Western Undercliff. Imagine giant boulders covered with pretty flowers right before you get to the edge of the sea.

You’ve got greenery, pathways, and a softer feel that contrasts nicely with the coastline.

West Cliff Rose Gardens

Seasonal, but beautiful when in bloom. I wouldn’t bother coming here for photos in the Autumn or Winter, this is very much a Summer location.

It’s a nice way to bring colour and softness into a shoot, especially if you’re pairing it with nearby coastal spots. The volunteers that look after this space are passionate about preservation, and it’s nice to honour them with beautiful portraits in it.

Ellington Park

Big tree greenery similar to Kearsney Abbey.

It’s useful if the beach isn’t your thing and you prefer big trees. The downside is there are dogs everywhere (if you’re not a fan of pooches) and it’s not exactly quiet with the park nearby.

Outside The House (Albion House)

One of the more refined backdrops in Ramsgate that feels a bit more fashionable, if you can get in the hotel.

Clean architecture, elevated views, and a slightly more editorial feel. It works really well for couples who want something simple but considered. It’s also right by the sea, another good option for engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

I’ve loved shooting weddings at Albion House, here are the 15 Kent wedding venues I would love to photograph right now.

Botany Bay

Very similar to Joss Bay, considering it’s just around the corner, but has iconic structures of cliff you can walk around when the tide is out.

A Quick Note on Planning Your Shoot

Timing matters more than the exact location. Light, tide, and wind will shape your shoot far more than picking the “perfect” spot. The best sessions are usually the ones where things are allowed to unfold naturally but good planning and flexibility are important. If it’s your wedding day don’t think about planning your timings around the tide, just pick one of the engagement shoot locations in Thanet that serves what you want for the given time.

Lastly, do your research on photographers to find the best one for you.

About Me

Hey, I’m Tom, a Kent wedding photographer specialising in documentary-led, editorial-style photography, both digitally and on analogue film.

I’ve been photographing along the Thanet coast for years, in all kinds of conditions. My background in fashion photography means I’m confident getting the shot that looks trendy, but I’m also comfortable letting things unfold naturally. I enjoy working with couples that value their photos, and I love working with wedding planners too.

Shooting on 35mm analogue film is a big part of how I see things. It slows everything down slightly, makes you more intentional, and often brings out something softer and more timeless in the final images. It’s not about nostalgia for the sake of it. It’s about creating photographs that feel unique to digital.

I’ve been featured in Italian Vogue’s Best Of category, photographed celebrities at the BBC, and I’m recommended at venues across Kent. But more than anything, I know the ideal engagement shoot locations in Thanet and the unpredictability of the coast to create something that feels original.

Top Kent Wedding Photographer Tom Keenan

Final Thoughts

The South East Coast gives you some great options for engagement shoot locations in Thanet.

You don’t need to over-plan it. You don’t need to force anything. You just need a location that suits you and your timings, good light, and the space to be yourselves.

If you’re thinking about booking an engagement or couple photographer around Thanet or nearby, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to suggest locations based on what actually fits you.