Broadstairs was the fishing hamlet associated with the inland village of St Peter's established around the parish church which was built circa 1080 A.D.

St Peter's was the original settlement and had a proud history long before Broadstairs grew up next door and became the larger town. St Peter’s came within the jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports under a 15th century charter and contributed handsomely for the privilege.

Anciently, Broadstairs was called Bradstow. This was derived from the “broad stairs” carved in the chalk cliff, that led from the sands to the 12th century shrine of St Mary situated above the cliffs. The town spreads from Poorhole Lane in the west (named from the mass graves dating from the Black Death), to Kingsgate in the north (named after the landing of King Charles II in 1683), and to Dumpton in the south (named after the yeoman Dudeman who farmed there in the 13th century).

The York Gate in Harbour Street remains from this period: given by the Culmer family in the 16th century, originally it was complete with a portcullis against invading armies or pirates.