Around Kent > Coastal Walk > Margate to Broadstairs
As the coastal path skirts around Cliftonville, it begins its sweep to the south. The journey from Margate to Broadstairs shows a marked change in social profile - from the grim 1950s seaside resort to the mansions of Cliff Promenade just outside the picturesque and historic town of Broadstairs. In between are some amazing beaches - including Botany, Kingsgate and Joss Bay - which are very popular in the summer
History of the area
"Meregate", as it was known in 1264, assumed its recognisable name first in 1299, and now has 60k inhabitants. Margate is where the Spanish Armada planned to land had they managed to get across the channel. Probably initially drawn by the long sandy beach, they could have topped up their tan in one of the numerous salons along the promenade, filled up on a quick pizza or kebab, and spent a few pesetas in the amusement arcades - before rampaging around Kent in search of some civilisation to plunder.
In 1816 steamboats arrived at Margate, beginning the tourist industry which would support it for the next 200 years. This was further aided by the development of the railways - first in 1846, when the line from Ashford was completed, via Ramsgate; then in 1863 by the direct North Kent coast line to London. The former was closed in 1923 and the Thanet loop was created, allowing travel around the NE Kent coast.
Other claims to fame for Margate are that it was the first resort to have donkey rides (1890) and to provide deck chairs (1898). A jetty was built in the 1950s, but was wrecked in the 1978 storm and later demolished. The town's Dreamland amusement park was opened in 1920, and has the UK's oldest surviving rollercoaster - Scenic Railway - which is now a Grade II listed structure. Unfortunately the future isn't too bright for the park, and in recent years has been open for only the summer months - with over zealous property developers champing at the bit, it will probably end up the same way as Stockport's amusement park (which is currently being demolished)
The walk - Margate to Foreness Pont
While the walk from Reculver to Birchington was monotonous, Margate to Foreness Point was plain ugly. A series of depressing grey and brown-brick buildings make up the delapidated seafront - to be followed by uninspiring beaches with a penchant for wide concrete walkways and seemingly abandoned buildings. Possibly this stretch of coast would benefit from walking in the summer rather than a more overcast November.
More local info
There's a short diversion from the beach at Foreness Point at high tide - where a climb up to the clifftop brings Southern Water's new wastewater treatment works (WTW) into view. Currently wastewater from Margate and Broadstairs have basic treatment (ie, filtering) here and at North Foreland respectively. In future the latter will be pumped 2.8km to Foreness Point for primary treatment; then 11km to Weatherlees (Sandwich) for further treatment (including UV disinfection); back again along another 11km pipe; to finally be pumped 2km out at sea. The whole package is due to cost £80m, and will be complete by the end of 2007 - but for now the two WTWs are just huge building sites.
Beyond here, beaches and scenery markedly improve - with the beautiful Botany, Kingsgate and Joss Bays. Kingsgate Castle, built in the 1760s for Lord Holland, looks spectacular on the clifftop, but disappointly was converted to private flats in the 1950s and has no public access. Joss Bay is Kent's surfing hotspot, hosting a surf school; while above it is the North Foreland lighthouse - the last in the UK to become automated. The final trek into Broadstairs has more picturesque beaches at East Cliff, before the final descent into Viking Bay.
Maps are copyright of Multimap, Ordnance Survey and Google Maps
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History of the area
"Meregate", as it was known in 1264, assumed its recognisable name first in 1299, and now has 60k inhabitants. Margate is where the Spanish Armada planned to land had they managed to get across the channel. Probably initially drawn by the long sandy beach, they could have topped up their tan in one of the numerous salons along the promenade, filled up on a quick pizza or kebab, and spent a few pesetas in the amusement arcades - before rampaging around Kent in search of some civilisation to plunder.
Margate's history was shaped as a member of the Confederation of Cinque Ports - an organisation dating to the 12th century. There were 5 ports, 7 "limbs" (of which Margate was one), and 23 other towns/villages - whose role it was to provide men and ships in times of war, and transport to the King and his armies. In return, a charter was signed which gave tax exemptions and other perks to residents - and effectively turned a blind eye to smuggling. Ports (blue): 1-Sandwich; 2-Dover; 3-Hythe Not shown: New Romney, Hastings Limbs (yellow): 1-Faversham; 2-Margate; 3-Ramsgate; 4-Deal; 5-Folkestone Not shown: Lydd, Tenterton Base map of image (C) Google Maps |
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In 1816 steamboats arrived at Margate, beginning the tourist industry which would support it for the next 200 years. This was further aided by the development of the railways - first in 1846, when the line from Ashford was completed, via Ramsgate; then in 1863 by the direct North Kent coast line to London. The former was closed in 1923 and the Thanet loop was created, allowing travel around the NE Kent coast.
Other claims to fame for Margate are that it was the first resort to have donkey rides (1890) and to provide deck chairs (1898). A jetty was built in the 1950s, but was wrecked in the 1978 storm and later demolished. The town's Dreamland amusement park was opened in 1920, and has the UK's oldest surviving rollercoaster - Scenic Railway - which is now a Grade II listed structure. Unfortunately the future isn't too bright for the park, and in recent years has been open for only the summer months - with over zealous property developers champing at the bit, it will probably end up the same way as Stockport's amusement park (which is currently being demolished)
The walk - Margate to Foreness Pont
While the walk from Reculver to Birchington was monotonous, Margate to Foreness Point was plain ugly. A series of depressing grey and brown-brick buildings make up the delapidated seafront - to be followed by uninspiring beaches with a penchant for wide concrete walkways and seemingly abandoned buildings. Possibly this stretch of coast would benefit from walking in the summer rather than a more overcast November.
| The ill-fated Dreamland amusement park |  |
| When having beer served in a plastic glass is an advertising feature, you need to be worried. |  |
| A windswept palm does not a Mediterranean paradise resort make |  |
| Despite the seafront, the beach itself is quite nice |  |
| The RNLI lifeboat station - founded here in 1860, and involved in the Dunkirk evacuation |  |
| Walpole Bay |  |
| Presumably "sympathetic to the natural surroundings" wasn't in the 1950's architectural handbook. |  |
| Palm Bay |  |
| More inconspicuous decoration |  |
| Foreness Point |  |
| This is one of the key areas of Kent for bird spotting |  |
More local info
There's a short diversion from the beach at Foreness Point at high tide - where a climb up to the clifftop brings Southern Water's new wastewater treatment works (WTW) into view. Currently wastewater from Margate and Broadstairs have basic treatment (ie, filtering) here and at North Foreland respectively. In future the latter will be pumped 2.8km to Foreness Point for primary treatment; then 11km to Weatherlees (Sandwich) for further treatment (including UV disinfection); back again along another 11km pipe; to finally be pumped 2km out at sea. The whole package is due to cost £80m, and will be complete by the end of 2007 - but for now the two WTWs are just huge building sites.
Beyond here, beaches and scenery markedly improve - with the beautiful Botany, Kingsgate and Joss Bays. Kingsgate Castle, built in the 1760s for Lord Holland, looks spectacular on the clifftop, but disappointly was converted to private flats in the 1950s and has no public access. Joss Bay is Kent's surfing hotspot, hosting a surf school; while above it is the North Foreland lighthouse - the last in the UK to become automated. The final trek into Broadstairs has more picturesque beaches at East Cliff, before the final descent into Viking Bay.
| The new wastewater treatment works |  |
| Botany Bay |  |
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| Kingsgate Castle |  |
| Kingsgate Bay |  |
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| Viking Bay, Broadstairs |  |
Maps are copyright of Multimap, Ordnance Survey and Google Maps