COAST: DAYS OUT
Powell-Cotton Musuem, Birchington Whitstable Castle & Gardens, Whitstable
Spitfire Museum, Ramsgate Herne Bay Pier, Herne Bay
Created in 1896 by Percy Powell-Cotton to have
somewhere to place his unusual natural history
specimens and cultural objects, the museum remains as
interesting today as it was when it was founded.
www.quexpark.co.uk/museum
Wander through the flower-filled gardens, enjoy sea
views, fresh sea air and tour period rooms that show
how the wealthy elite used to live at this splendid late
18th-century castle.
www.whitstablecastle.co.uk
Located in an atmospheric and historic RAF airfield, get
a feel for what flying a real Spitfire was like and view the
beautifully restored Spitfire MK XVI and Hurricane IIC.
www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk
Classic and charming English Victorian seaside style
pier. Free fishing and crabbing attracts young and old,
where visitors can release their inner child in the Pier
Village and on the retro fairground-style attractions.
www.hernebaypier.org
Hornby Visitor Centre, Margate
South Foreland Lighthouse, St Margaret’s Bay
Relive the story of Britain’s best-loved toys at this
fantastic day out for the whole family. See fascinating
displays featuring rare products from the Hornby,
Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi archives.
www.hornby.com/uk-en/hornby-visitor-centre
Remote Victorian lighthouse built as a beacon of the
White Cliffs. Enjoy views to the French coast, watch
the clockwork mechanism and step back in time at Mrs
Knott’s Tea Room at the first lighthouse in the world to
display an electric light.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/south-foreland-
lighthouse
Wildwood, Herne Bay
Set within 40 acres of beautiful woodland, come
nose-to-nose with British wildlife, past and present,
at Kent’s unique wildlife park that is home to over 200
native animals.
www.wildwoodtrust.org
Dungeness National Nature Reserve,
Dungeness
A stark landscape – and Britain’s only official desert
– with an otherworldly beauty, Dungeness is an
unforgettable destination featuring wooden houses,
power stations, lighthouses, gravel pits and unique
wildlife, as well as the largest shingle beach in Europe.
www.dungeness-nnr.co.uk
Reculver Towers, Herne Bay
Imposing twin towers dating back to the 12th century
that dominate the Herne Bay skyline at the site of one
of the earliest Roman forts built against the Saxon raids,
later to become the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery
before becoming the parish church.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/
reculver-towers-and-roman-fort/
Shell Grotto, Margate
Explore atmospheric underground passages and
marvel at the walls covered in exquisite mosaic created
with millions of shells at one of the world’s most
mysterious places.
www.shellgrotto.co.uk
Deal Castle, Deal
The finest Tudor artillery castle in England, with its
defences, and cannons. Explore the dark passages
that wind through the huge bastions and discover the
castle’s history from interactive exhibitions.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/deal-
castle/
Samphire Hoe, nr Dover
Unique, tranquil coastal setting created using 4.9million
cubic metres of chalk marl from the Channel Tunnel
excavations, this hidden gem has quickly become one
of the world’s rarest habitats and a haven for wildlife.
www.samphirehoe.com
White Cliffs of Dover, Dover
A truly iconic English landmark. Delve into the dazzling
white chalk faces and spectacular coastal views that
have been saying ‘farewell’ and ‘hello to’ people
crossing the English Channel for centuries.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-white-cliffs-of-dover
Dover Museum, Dover
Immerse yourself in fascinating objects, models and
original pictures showing the history and archaeology
of Dover, as well as viewing The Dover Bronze Age
Boat, the world’s oldest known seagoing boat.
www.dovermuseum.co.uk
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