EDUCATIONINACTION
THE WHITSTABLE COASTAL TRAIL
DEVELOPED BY WHITSTABLE MARITIME , THE CHARITY COMMITTED TO OUR MARITIME AND COASTAL HERITAGE AND PRESERVATION , THE WHITSTABLE COASTAL TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS THE DIVERSITY OF KENT ’ S COASTAL ENVIRONMENT FROM LONG ROCK , SWALECLIFFE IN THE EAST TO THE WW2 TANK TRAPS IN THE WEST . SUITABLE FOR WALKERS , RUNNERS , CYCLISTS AND ACCESSIBLE FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS AND PUSHCHAIRS , JOIN THE 5KM TRAIL – DEVELOPED WITH LOCAL ENTHUSIASTS AND EXPERTS IN GEOLOGY , FLORA AND FAUNA , HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY – TO DISCOVER THE WONDER OF WHITSTABLE ’ S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT , HISTORY AND COASTAL LANDSCAPE .
© Alex Hare
© Alex Hare
TOP TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS
1 . Long Rock
Longshore drift has developed a spit towards the west , diverting a small stream to create a series of shingle ridges with marsh and freshwater between – home to some specialist plants and animals . Fossils from the last Ice Age ( mammoth , woolly rhinoceros ) can be found on the beach , as can ancient flint implements and ancient pottery .
The SSSI designation is due to Hog ’ s Fennel which only grows at a few locations in Britain . Significantly , it also supports the rare Fisher ’ s Estuarine Moth , only found in Kent and Essex .
2 . The Street
Tankerton Cannons ( dating from about 1700 ) show the importance of the area for defence through to WW2 , perhaps due to ‘ The Street ’ – a gravel ridge seen at low tide stretching about 1km out to sea . It has been used for industry and shelter but its origin is unknown – have you any ideas ?
3 . The Harbour and Crab & Winkle
The Canterbury and Whitstable Railway , opened in 1830 , was the first ticketed regular steam-powered passenger railway in the world . This and the harbour ( opened in 1832 ) enabled Whitstable to develop . Canterbury needed coal and Whitstable needed to transport its oysters , fish and shellfish to market in London .
Extending to London , the Crab and Winkle line ensured the harbours ’ importance for decades . It is still exciting and busy , especially now that the Gamecock restoration is taking place on the East Quay near Dead Man ’ s Corner .
4 . West Quay
West Quay was added in the 1970s to extend berthing for the busy harbour . Walk past the Lifeboat Station , which is also worth a visit for brilliant views along the coast . Don ’ t forget to experience any activity at
Whitstable Yacht Club which dates back to 1904 ! This is also an ideal location for photography and landscape painting .
5 . Horsebridge , Whitstable Oyster Company and Keam ’ s Yard
Oysters to Rome – Whitstable ’ s first export ? With oysters offshore , this was inevitable . The first port of Whitstable developed at Horsebridge in medieval times – where the slipway allowed horse-and-carts to reach flat-bottomed Thames Barges to load oysters and fish for Billingsgate Market .
Behind you , the large brick building , now a restaurant , was the base of the Oyster Company . Here , oystermen would meet in the large room upstairs to discuss company business .
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