With a few weeks of summer left to go, I know I’m not alone in trying to squeeze in as many trips as possible. I was recently out and about in Birchington-on-Sea, the cosy seaside village found between and . While the main reason for my visit was checking out for the first time in my life, my attention was soon grabbed by a sleek seaside pub.

Aptly named the Minnis Bay Bar and Brasserie, the Shepherd Neame boozer is just a stone's throw away from the beach’s shimmering sands and offers a huge outdoor seating area. Being blessed by some sunshine and high temperatures at the time of my visit, by the time I’d walked the length of Minnis Bay, I was absolutely parched. I was simply left with no other choice but to pay this impressive bar and restaurant a visit to wet my whistle.

On its website, the bar proudly describes itself as “a relaxed, stylish location that offers truly outstanding views, great food, an extensive wine list, and friendly service” and dubs Minnis Bay a ‘hidden gem’ on the Thanet coast. Reviews have given this beachside spot a great deal of praise, and it holds a rating of 4.2 stars out of five on Google Reviews.

Punters have raved about the scenery and the service, with one guest calling it the “best thing about Birchington”. They added: “The staff were really friendly despite being very busy, and the iced coffees were perfect on a hot day. “The position with the sea view was just gorgeous, and the bathrooms were Very clean.

” With such .