|
General
Attractions on the Isle of Thanet
There
are many interesting ways to spend your time in Thanet and
most of them are a short drive, bus ride or train journey
away from St Christopher's. The sections below provide a few
ideas for more adult tastes - less beaches more museums, theatres
and shops! The local tourist information produces an annual
what's on guide which is worth ordering.
Towns
& Cities
Margate
Great beaches, great facilities, great fun. Margate has been
popular with visitors for generations, and the reasons are
easy to see. It's packed with things to do, whether it's a
lazy picnic in Marine Gardens, a day out at Dreamland
Theme Park, fun and games along the amusement-packed seafront
or simply stretching out on the sands restaurants and cafes.
Margate Old Town, the Market Place and Harbour provide a contrast
to the seafront and sands.
Birchington
Birchington is the largest village on the island, and is close
to Minnis Bay and Quex House. It is also home to the Rosetti
Society.
Minster
Minster is home to the famous Abbey and 12th century Church.
Located next to the Abbey is the Museum of Rural Life. Minster
also has a number of fine restaurants and cafes as well as
antique and bric-a-brac shops. Minster Marshes provide a stimulating
walk for the active visitor.
Canterbury,
Herne Bay, and Whitstable
Moving outside of Thanet for a moment, there are a number
of great place to visit just a little bit further on. The
outstanding attractions of these three jewels of the East
can't be done justice here so check out the official Canterbury,
Herne Bay and Whitstable Tourist Info and make sure you
plan an excursion to at least one of them!
Manston
The village of Manston is famous for its wartime associations
with the Battle of Britain airport. The Spitfire and Hurricane
Museum are are well worth a look.
Broadstairs
Small and beautiful, Viking Bay, the town's main beach, offers
a wide range of activities for all ages and tastes.
The smallest of the three main towns, its long history is
reflected in the winding streets and ancient fishermen's cottages
nestling around the harbour. Gift shops, restaurants, pubs
and candy floss cafes now inhabit these former homes, providing
a compelling diversion for visitors to the town.
Ramsgate
Ramsgate boasts some beautiful architecture, and large parts
of the town are conservation areas. The area around the famous
Royal Harbour is steeped in pavement cafes, bars and smart
restaurants, whilst two minutes walk away is the pedestrianised
town shopping centre and Tourist Information Centre.The Royal
Harbour and Marina attract visitors from all over the world.
There's even an internet cafe at hand.
Cycle Routes
Those wanting a healthier way to get around and see the sites
are well provided for, as the famous Viking
Coastal Trail has for many years being giving two-wheelers
a treat. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or a novice,
you'll find plenty to enjoy along the 28 mile-long circular
route as it winds its way past sandy beaches and bays, spectacular
chalk cliffs, lively seaside resorts and quiet country villages.
Find out all you need to know about the trail at their dedicated
website. Here's the map
page.
Coastal Walks
You will be spoilt for choice really. All the beaches are
clean and teeming with interesting wildlife, plants and views.
Here's some info on the closest:
The Westgate Bay Area
This section of coast has several bays with promenade walks
along the foot of the cliffs. In the areas splashed by the
sea saltmarsh plants thrive, including sea-purslane, sea-spurrey
and sea-blite. The shore varies from sandy shore to chalk
platform, while at Westgate Bay the chalk cliff disappears
for a short distance. Fulmars nest in the cliffs here.
Margate & Walpole Bay Area
Although busy in summer, gulls and oystercatchers feed here
early and late in the day. In winter months wading birds can
be seen on the harbour arm or roosting on the beaches. At
Walpole Bay the chalk platform has been colonised by a whole
range of seaweeds. The large oar weed and sugar kelp grow
on the lower shore, bladder and saw wracks in the middle shore
and the red coral weed and carrageen in the rockpools.
Golf Courses
There are a number of very reasonable golf courses in the
area details of which follow; the closest being Westgate's
own 18 holer.
Greensole Practice Centre, Greensole Lane, Manston Road,
Manston
Tel: 01843 590005
North Foreland Golf Club (18 Holes Handicap Certificate
needed, plus 18 hole 3 par course open to everyone), Convent
Road, Broadstairs
Tel: 01843 862140
St Augustines Golf Club (18 Holes), Cottington Road, Cliffsend,
Ramsgate (Handicap Certificate preferred)
Tel:
01843 590333
Westgate and Birchington Golf Club (18 Holes), Canterbury
Road, Westgate-on-Sea
Tel: 01843 831115
Heritage
Sites
The Isle of Thanet is steeped in every facet of England's
rich history, and there are reminders and relics of that history
whereever you go.
Salmestone Grange web
Have afternoon tea after a tour of the best preserved Monastic
Grange in the country. See the best examples of 20th Century
stained glass beautifully sited in the 14th Century Chapel.
Facilities: Teas Sunday lunches - carvery every week, medieval
banquets, toilets, restaurant, meals, snacks. Guided tours
by prior arrangement. Nash Road, Margate, CT9 4BX.Tel: (01843)
231161
St Augustine's Cross
Cottington Road, Cliffs End, Ramsgate
Where St Augustine and 40 monks landed in 597 AD, bringing
Christianity to the UK.
Viking Ship 'Hugin'
A replica of a Viking Ship, rowed and sailed from Denmark
to Thanet in 1949 to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the
traditional landing of Hengist and Horsa. Now on permanent
display on the cliff top at Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate.
Margate Caves
Discovered around 1798, these great caverns were hewn out
of the chalk over 1000 years ago. The caves have had many
uses over the years including prison, smugglers' hideout and
secret church. Northdown Road, Cliftonville, CT9 2RN. Tel:
(01843) 220139
Minster Abbey
One of England's oldest inhabited buildings. Founded in 670
AD and still with buildings dating from the 11th century.
Facilities:
Gift shop, toilets, guide book. Welcome talk for parties and
guided tours by prior arrangement. Church Street, Minster,
nr Ramsgate, CT12 4HF. Tel: 01843 821254
Museums
& Attractions
There are too many museums in Thanet to list them all, but
here are just a few.
Bleak House web
Where Charles Dickens lived and wrote 'David Copperfield'.
The house contains a Dickens Museum and incorporates a Coastal
Maritime Section with a display of items recovered from the
Goodwin Sands and smuggling cellars. Facilities: Gift shop,
guided tours, guide book, welcome talk for parties Bleak House,
Fort Road, Broadstairs, CT10 1EY. Tel: (01843) 862224. If
you are interested in Dickens checkout the other Dickens
Museum while you are in Broadstairs.
Drapers Windmill
The remaining one of three built about 1845. Restored as an
operational windmill by the Drapers Mill Trust. 18th &
19th century artefacts connected with milling, workshop and
cart shed. St Peter's Footpath, Margate, CT9 2SP. Tel: 01843
226227
Motor Museum
The largest and finest collection of veteran Edwardian, vintage,
classic cars and motor cycles in the south east of England.
Westcliff Hall, Ramsgate.Tel: (01843) 581948
Margate Museum web
17th century building contains displays showing the development
of seaside holidays and maritime trade, with original paintings,
photographs and memorabilia. Annual exhibitions and events.
Market Square, Margate, CT9 1ER. Tel: 01843 231213/587765
Powell-Cotton Museum and Quex House Gardens
Set in 200 acres of parkland, this nine-gallery museum, built
by Major Powell-Cotton houses spectacular displays of his
collection of African, Indian and Asian animals in natural
surroundings plus large collections of native crafts from
many parts of the world. Quex Park, Park Lane, Birchington,
CT7 0BH. Tel: 01843 842168
Minster Museum - Craft Workshop and Animal Centre web
Over 800 exhibits depicting farming methods from early 19th
century. Displays of birds and animals. Traditional craft
skills demonstrated.Facilities: Gift shop, tea room, welcome
talk for parties, special school packs, toilets, picnic area,
children's birthday parties catered for. Bedlam Court Lane,
Minster, nr Ramsgate. Tel/Fax: (01843) 822312
Maritime Museum web
Check out the Maritime Heritage Trail site
Containing four galleries. Smeaton Gallery - items of harbour
interest. Island Gallery - maritime history of the Isle of
Thanet. John Rennie Room - navigation, clock mechanism and
solar meridian line. Goodwin's Gallery - relics of early 18th
century Goodwin Sands wrecks. Annual exhibitions and events.
Restored dry dock and historic vessels. Clock House, Pier
Yard, Royal Harbour, Ramsgate, CT11 8LS. Tel: (01843) 570622
Regular
Events
There are many regular events and festivals that happen every
year in the Thanet area. For example, there's the annual Ramsgate
Spring Festival, a veritable feast of activity and entertainment
held every Spring Bank Holiday; the Broadstairs Dickens
Festival held in June - attracting visitors from around
the world - and the Water Gala held every August. Indeed,
there are far too many events to list here, but the Events
Section of the official tourist site provides full details
of all that's happening throughout the year.
Theatres
There
nothing quite like an evenings entertainment at the theatre,
so why not give some of these a ring before you arrive and
find out what's on?
Westgate Pavilion & Theatre
Westgate 01843 831753 / 596870
Winter Gardens and Queens Hall
Margate 01843 292795/296111
Theatre Royal, Addington Street
Margate 01843 293877
Tom Thumb Theatre, Eastern Esplanade
Cliftonville, Margate 01843 221791
Pavilion Theatre, Harbour Street
Broadstairs 01843 600999
Granville Theatre, Victoria Parade
Ramsgate 01843 591750
|
