Coast, Cliffs & Café Culture
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Sea it all Coast, Cliffs & Café Culture Ramsgate to Broadstairs Walk explore kent | 1 Ramsgate to “There’s nothing I like Broadstairs better than a weekend by the coast, walking, Walk biking, relaxing.” Nicholas Crane Presenter of the BBC Coast series If you enjoy the sea, you will love this coast hugging, cliff topping, café cruising circuit from Active Ramsgate. Like all the trails in the initiative, this route goes the extra mile to delight and surprise. From awe inspiring white cliffs to the breath taking views across Viking Bay, every step leads to something special you can enjoy. 2 | explore kent explore kent | 3 On the waterfront… There can be few more Things bijou gallery, craft and good day!) a truly spectacular beautiful places to start a gift shop, inside The Custom view of the French coastline. coastal walk than the 700 House on the harbour side. Depending on the tide, you berth Royal Harbour Marina. can either follow the route up Just 35 miles from the French But don’t get too comfortable on to the cliff top or down on coast and a skip and a hop because there’s a lot to enjoy to the beach at Dumpton Gap away from attractions like the and see as you pick up the where you will be rewarded Sailor’s Church, Jacob’s Ladder Thanet Coastal Path, pass with some stunning views - in Military Road, the RNLI the Royal Victoria Pavilion and a refreshing drink from a Lifeboat Station and the Royal and Ramsgate Sands and seasonal kiosk. Temple Yacht Club, almost (at high tide) head on to everything you want to see is King George VI Memorial Enjoy the sense of within easy reach. Park. Large, grassy, and achievement because in a much beloved by dogs and few moments you will leave Some of the cosmopolitan their walkers, this all season this remarkable seascape attractions lining the attraction (originally the site and round the bend into picturesque waterfront are also of Sir Moses Montefiore’s Louisa Bay, a beautiful sandy Active Ramsgate partners with home, East Cliff Lodge), can area famous for its rock a range of exclusive offers and give a sense of wonderful pools and very different, but discounts. Enjoy cafes like the seclusion, despite being only equally impressive, views of unfailingly warm and stylish a few minutes gentle amble Broadstairs. Miles Bar on the harbour front from the harbour. On your and the aptly named Nice right, the channel and (on a 4 | explore kent explore kent | 5 ...And back again The return leg of this gentle trail When you are ready to walk off Every stage of this walk has (assuming the British weather those treats, simply retrace your been designed to give you a doesn’t misbehave and drive steps through the unfailingly true sense of the area’s very you back to Ramsgate in a bus!) pretty Victoria Gardens with its individual character. From begins at Viking Bay where you rustic arbour and pergola until the cliff top views and coastal are free to savour the wonderful you pick up the return route wildlife to the vibrant café views and some equally over Dumpton Gap, through culture, there’s a great deal to delicious offers from some King George VI Memorial, experience and enjoy. nearby hostelries and cafes. and it’s restored Italianate Greenhouse… and finally, back into Ramsgate. 6 | explore kent explore kent | 7 Eat, drink and support Take a look... Here are some of the cafés, bars and other local business attractions offering discounts and specials offers on this route - all offers are valid until 31 March 2014. The Charles The Oak Hotel Dickens, 1 free soft drink with any food ordered from the menu Broadstairs (Monday - Friday, 12 - 6pm) 1 free soft drink with any food ordered from the menu (Monday - Friday, 12 - 6pm) The Old Custom Coffee House Comfort Inn and Carvery Salon Children eat free with full paying adult. (Child under 8, weekends 10% discount on all treatments only) Miles Bar The Pavilion, 2nd bottle of same value wine ½ price (Monday - Friday, 5 - 7 Broadstairs pm, except bank holidays) 1 free soft drink with any food ordered from the menu (Monday - Friday, 12 - 6pm) Nice Things (in Why make walking hard work when you can The Custom Pizza Express follow one of the new Active Ramsgate routes House) For the latest offers visit www. pizzaexpress.com/offers and enjoy every step? Themed to be fun as well 10% discount on all purchases as informative and supported by a wealth of local over £30 businesses, each walk has been carefully created to surprise and reward. Go to www.ramsgatetown.org for more offers 8 | explore kent explore kent | 9 What’s an Italian Greenhouse doing in an English Park? The King George VI Memorial Park offers walkers a peaceful environment they can relax and unwind in. As well as boasting a huge range of trees and plants, including holm oaks, a fine beech tree, mulberries, ash, lime, sycamores and horse chestnuts, the park is home to one of the areas most ethereal landmarks - the Italianate Greenhouse. This Grade II listed building dates from the early nineteenth century and closely resembles the cutting edge greenhouse designs of Sir George Mackenzie of Edinburgh and also John Claudius Loudon (1783-1843). So why is it called Italian? Sir Moses Montefiore, then the owner of East Cliff Lodge, planted a small formal garden outside the front entrance of the greenhouse, complete with an ornate fountain, which he had imported from Italy. The project was so successful that the whole area soon became known as ‘The Italian Garden’ with the ‘Italian Greenhouse’. 10 | explore kent explore kent | 11 Viking Bay If Broadstairs is the “Jewel in Thanet’s crown”, really shouldn’t be missed. Surfers (who don’t then Viking Bay must be its rarest diamond. This mind the chilly sea temperatures), tourists and magnificent horse shoe shaped stretch of 150 lucky locals all agree that this bay has to be seen meter long sand filled beach is a rare treat that to be fully appreciated. There’s more to Custom House than meets the eye You may be pleasantly surprised and Excise, this elegant building the world go by over a refreshing to learn that as well as being has its own coffee house and coffee house snack and drink. an excellent source of visitor carvery - and a hidden courtyard It is also home to Nice Things information and local events, garden where you can relax in the bijou gallery, craft and gift shop Ramsgate Custom House is also sunshine or shade. Alternatively, which sell mainly handmade a great place to enjoy delicious you can pull up a chair at the items by local artisans, artists and food. Originally used by Customs front of the building and watch craftspeople. 12 | explore kent explore kent | 13 " Continue along the promenade and you will see the offshore wind-farm busily generating Ramsgate to green electricity out on the horizon. Soon 5 6 another blue building, with another kiosk Broadstairs (seasonal) and public conveniences (open April to September, daily) will come into view. Stay on the promenade but instead of following the Walk Overview: road uphill, keep to the right, past a yellow and 4 black metal vehicle barrier, and carry on along Location: Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, CT11 the sea wall. 8LN and Harbour Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1EU Distance: 5 miles (8km) circular - allow 2.5 hours for the circular and 1.5 hours one way 2 A little further on and Ramsgate’s Sea Garden Terrain: Mainly surfaced paths with some will come into view; a small garden inspired by beach walking. Steps allow access to higher the coastal environment that lies on the site path at high tide. Some moderate slopes of the old Marina swimming pool and boating Facilities: Shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs lake. You might appreciate a small breather in Ramsgate and Broadstairs. There are also by now. There is an interpretation panel and public toilets and seasonal kiosks along the 7 a bench you can use to enjoy the view out route across the sandy beach and the sea. Transport: Traveline 0871 200 22 33 3 www.traveline.info The sea wall runs directly along the foot of white chalk cliffs at this point and " At Dumpton Gap you can choose to walk along the approximately 200 metres further on you will beach or the cliff top path. Please be aware that at reach a switch-back path up to the cliff-top. high tide you will need to follow the cliff top path. 8 At high tide, follow this route to continue You can check tide times in advance. the walk to Broadstairs. You can return to the beach or sea wall at Dumpton Gap. When the Start as you mean to tide is low, you can continue along the sea wall, for another 450 metres, before reaching continue by setting an a ramp that leads you down onto the sandy easy, relaxed pace and beach. This section of the walk offers you some truly stunning views of the channel, 9 remember that this is with the imposing white cliffs on your left and a walk designed to be the multitude of chalk rocks, worn smooth by 5 miles (8km) the daily tides, strewn at the cliff’s base. But High tide route enjoyed, not rushed remember that there is no sea-wall to escape Bus Stop to if you get caught out by the rising tide, so 1 As you leave the Ramsgate Harbour area and plan ahead.