Herne Bay Seaside Resort on the North Kent Coast

                                        Herne Bay Traditional Bandstand ©Solange Hando

Designed in 1924, later extended with an art deco frontage, it was almost abandoned but beautifully refurbished in the 1990s.

Today it's a great place to meet family and friends with cafe restaurant and ice cream parlour, sit indoors or in the spacious courtyard with garden and sea views and traditional concerts in summer.

                                                  Herne Bay Seafront ©Solange Hando

See the clock tower?  This is the other landmark in Herne Bay, built in 1836-37 by a rich widow who enjoyed holidays in the resort. It is one the earliest free-standing towers of its kind in the country.

A Grade II listed building and 82 feet high including the weathervane, it looks across the sandy part of the beach and the small inner harbour.

Central Parade on Herne Bay Seafront ©Solange Hando

Herne Bay enjoyed its first golden age in the Victorian era as one of the nearest seaside resorts to London. With its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, the Parade is a conservation area, enhanced by flower gardens and palm trees leading to the promenade along the shore.

Look out for the Ship Inn, a historic seafront pub, also Grade II, once a smugglers' haunt, now popular with cyclists and walkers on the Saxonshore Way.

                                                            View from the Shore ©Solange Hando

Grass on the beach? That's conservation... and on the right you see the end of Neptune's Arm, with viewing platform, built in the 1990s to prevent flooding.

On the left is the end of the pier, once the second longest in England, but severely damaged by the storm in 1978. It has been partially rebuilt, leaving its former 'head' out at sea. 

                                                                     On the Pier ©Solange Hando

But Herne Bay pier enjoys a new lease of life, with free entrance to the 'pier village' lined with colourful beach-hut like venues for casual eating, in or outdoors, and local craft shops.

There are fabulous views back to the shore or out to sea and entertainment for the children, most popular the merry-go round and helter-skelter.

                                                                  Reculver Towers ©Solange Hando

Just three miles east of Herne Bay central parade, you can stroll around this lovely country park topped by the twin towers of the old St Mary's church and Roman remains on the clifftop. Superb sea views, traditional pub and children's playground.

You can drive there from town or walk along the sea wall to the start of the wide grassy cliffs, a 'Special Protection Area' for birds and insects. There you can join the Oyster Trail laced in cycle and walking paths.

                                                Sunset and Herne Bay Pier Head out to Sea ©Solange Hando

 

Enjoy the Isle of Thanet in East Kent

 

Margate Beach ©Solange Hando

An island only by name on the northern tip of east Kent, Thanet has lovely coves and wide sandy beaches, most popular Margate for its easy access from London, motorway/and dual carriageway or direct rail line. The main beach has all you would expect for family entertainment with nearby funfair, arcades and affordable eating venues.

Walpole Living Museum in Margate ©Solange Hando

But if you like more than the beach, a must-see for art lovers is the Turner Contemporary named after the artist who painted the sunset on this spot, free entrance. Also worth considering is the Walpole Living Museum for an amazing picture of bygone days, character accommodation and cream tea, Sunday roast and lunch available to anyone. 

                                                 Broadstairs on Thanet ©Solange Hando

Facing east just around the corner, Broadstairs is a lovely resort, with a crescent beach nestling below the cliffs. It is more exclusive than Margate, usually quieter, almost village-like with lanes winding down to the beach. It's best to park some distance away from the shore, especially during festival week.

                                                           Broadstairs Dickens Festival ©Solange Hando

The Dickens Festival is usually held in June when locals dress in traditional costumes for the Grand Parade, the country fair and beach parties, including paddling and swimming in appropriate gear.

Dickens first came to Broadstairs at the age of 25 then returned on several occasions, finding inspiration for David Copperfield.

                                                                     Ramsgate Harbour ©Solange Hando

Just south of Broadstairs and within walking distance, you reach Ramsgate with a glistening harbour right in the town centre, a long sandy beach where the future Queen Victoria came to play as a child and a scenic walk along the clifftop with superb views across the Channel and the French coast by clear weather.

 Ramsgate Viking Ship ©Solange Hando

This may be your highlight on the Viking Trail as you reach Pegwell Bay on the edge of Ramsgate.  It is a replica of course  but it sailed all the way from Denmark in 1949, using traditional instruments, to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the Viking invasion.

Sunset on the North Kent Coast near Margate ©Solange Hando

Discover Brogdale and the National Fruit Collection in Kent, Easy Day Trip from London

Brogdale Farm in Kent ©Solange Hando

Whether you are just passing through Kent or looking for a day out in the country, from London or elsewhere, Brogdale Farm is well worth a visit. Tucked in a quiet lane near Faversham, it is home to the National Fruit Collection which claims over 2000 varieties of apples and 500 of pears, plus all sorts of berries, cherries, vines and more.

Springtime in Brogdale near Faversham ©Solange Hando

Brogdale has something to offer in every season but spring is particularly stunning when trees come into bloom, displaying myriad colours sure to delight photographers, artists and casual visitors alike. 

First set up in Chiswick then tranfered to Wisley, the National Fruit Collection made it to Brogdale in 1952 where space, climate and soil were considered ideal. Today they say that there are 4000 reasons to visit the farm, one for every species of fruit grown on the spot.

Ready for Cherry Pie Eating Competition ©Solange Hando

A lot of hard work goes into Brogdale to preserve varieties, try out new ones and create a 'living gene bank' for a sustainable future, but in this highly dedicated place, there's plenty of entertainment too.

Popular festivals punctuate the year, family picnic under the blossom, Easter trail, strawberry fair, plum day, cider festival, to name just a few.

There's a miniature train for the little ones and guided visits around the orchards, on foot or by tractor and trailer. Near the entrance, the Courtyard Café serving traditional Kentish fare is open to everyone.

Apples in the National Collection, one of 2200 varieties ©Solange Hando

You can't pick your own fruit in Brogdale but you may be able to taste before you buy, including varieties you are unlikely to find in your local supermarket.

Brogdale has its own market place dedicated to food products, vintage items, art by local artists and in the nursery, garden plants as well as ornamental and fruit trees.

 Blossom in the Orchards, Brogdale ©Solange Hando

And there's one more surprising fact about Brogdale Farm:

This is where the highest temperature in the UK was ever recorded, 38.5 centigrade (101.3F ) on the 10th of August 2003.