Ramsgate on the coast of Kent has plenty for the visitor to enjoy. Miles of golden sandy beaches and lots of artisan shops. The large marina called the Royal Harbour is full of small yachts and you can board a Sea Searcher boat to watch the wildlife up close. The building, which has a commanding view over the harbour, is the Clock House. Built in 1810 it had a solar observatory and an astronomical clock. (Although the building was once the home of Ramsgate Maritime Museum at the time of writing it was not open to the public)
For those who have an interest in history, Ramsgate was the home town of the architect Augustus Pugin. He built his house “The Grange” and also the Roman Catholic church of St Augustine nearby. The church has a relic of the saint and is now a shrine. Because Pugin was the main benefactor and designer of the church, the schoolroom attached is now the National Pugin Centre.
We walked up to the historic crescent-shaped Grade II listed Georgian development called Liverpool Lawn. The houses built in the Regency style have lovely curved sash windows. The area was named after the Prime Minister (1812-1827) , Richard Jenkinson the 2nd Earl of Liverpool. Within the grassy central area was the site of the entrance to the Ramsgate Tunnels during the 2nd World War. There is a labyrinth of tunnels underneath the town which were built in 1939 as part of Air Raid Precautions. Also, from that period is the RAF Manston History Museum.
We had a meal in the Royal Victoria Pavilion which is now a JD Wetherspoons establishment. A Grade II listed building it was built as a concert hall and assembly rooms with an orangery based on the style of Robert Adam and an interior derived from the Litttle Theatre at Versailles. In 2008 the building was closed and in a dilapidated state until Wetherspoons took it over and restored it to a high standard. Inside there are many paintings and photographs giving a description of the various residents of Ramsgate throughout history. When we visited it was a beautiful summers day so we choose a table overlooking the beach. The balcony not only had a great view but there were flowering plants attracting bees. Of course, the seagulls were also hovering ready to pounce. When the gentleman on the next table rose and left some chips – the plate was emptied in the blink of an eye by one swooping seagull!
So yes, Ramsgate is an attractive place to visit particularly with its Blue Flag beach.
