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Town/City Name
Herne Bay
County
Kent
Population
38,563
About Herne Bay
Herne Bay is a picturesque Victorian seaside holiday destination located on the coast of North Kent. It is a popular resort featuring a string of beaches suitable for the whole family, water sports and activities for the adventurous types, and plenty of sightseeing attractions peppered throughout the town.
Whether on land or out in the sea, there are a variety of things to do in Herne Bay. Windsurfing, coastal strolling, jet skiing, birdwatching, and swimming are just some of the many activities that tourists can do in the town.
Going out in Herne Bay is a pleasant experiential mix of history tours to the Reculver Roman Fort and the historic Clock Tower and nature trips to Wildwood Discovery Park. At Wildwood, travellers can see wildlife such as beavers, otters, wolves, and badgers up close and personal. The Thames estuary is also a frequently-visited seal-watching destination for both locals and tourists alike.
Walking along the promenade deserves a place in tourists’ itineraries, with its host of cultural and historical attractions that give a glimpse into Herne Bay’s past. At the seafront, there is a Victorian bandstand, playgrounds, gardens, and amusement arcades. An off-shore wind farm and World War II sea fort can also be seen from the promenade.
Restaurants in Herne Bay are tourist attractions in themselves, with both local and international cuisines in their menu to satisfy anyone’s palette. The seafront is also sprinkled with pubs in Herne Bay, providing a relaxing ambiance after a full day of exploring the town.
The Herne Bay Museum and Gallery showcases the town’s heritage in the form of various displays such as gardens, pavilions, and seaside architecture. The museum also chronicles Herne Bay’s history since it rose to popularity as a seaside holiday destination during the Victorian era.
Festivals in Herne Bay happen throughout the year, with a peak of events during the summer season. The Herne Bay Festival is a free 10-day event hosted every August. During this time of the year, there are plenty of performances, cultural displays, live music, workshops, and exhibitions.
A gardening contest called “Herne Bay in Bloom” happens every summer, which motivates residents and business owners to beautify the town’s surroundings with floral displays and blooming gardens.
Places to eat in Herne Bay, Restaurants in Herne Bay
Places to drink in Herne Bay, Pubs and Bars in Herne Bay
A brief history of Herne Bay
Herne is a word that evolved from “hyrne”, an Old English word that means “corner”. Back in 1100, Herne was a small village called Hyrnan.
Established in the late 18th century, The Ship is regarded as one of the oldest standing buildings in the town. It was a social stop for the community that first settled in Herne Bay. Shipping and farming were their main livelihood, servicing cargo and passenger boats passing between London and Herne Bay. The road from Herne to Canterbury made the town a bustling stop for people passing through Herne Bay to Dover.
Between the 1830s and the 1840s, Herne Bay underwent an expansion from a generic English town to a promising seaside resort brought forth by London investors who renovated the seafront. A promenade and a wooded pier were built around this time. The population grew, and soon Herne Bay became a separate town, distinguishing itself from Herne as recognized by the Parliament
In 1834, Christ Church opened its doors as the first church in the town, thanks to the generous land donation of local Sir Henry Oxenden. Three years later, Mrs. Ann Thwaytes of London donated a hefty amount to have the Clock Tower built at the seafront
The arrival of steamboats to Herne Bay in the 1840s helped the tourism industry grow. But tourism only peaked during the Victorian era, when most of the seafront attractions were built. By then, Herne Bay was already popular as a seaside resort and holiday beach destination.
Popular things to do in Herne Bay
- Go wildlife sightseeing at the Wildwood Trust - https://wildwoodtrust.org/
- Watch live performances at The Kings Hall - https://thekingshall.com/
- Visit the Amy Johnson Statue - http://amyjohnsonproject.org/amy-statue/
- Go cycling along the Oyster Bay Trail - https://explorekent.org/activities/oyster-bay-trail/
Free things to do in Herne Bay
- Explore the Biddenden Vineyards - https://biddendenvineyards.com/
- Enjoy the sights at the Reculver Country Park - https://explorekent.org/activities/reculver-country-park/
- Stroll around Herne Bay Pier - https://thehernebaypiertru.wixsite.com/hernebaypier
Great for kids in Herne Bay
- Check out exhibits at The Seaside Museum Herne Bay - http://theseasidemuseumhernebay.org/
- Go on a history trip to the Reculver Towers and Roman Fort - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/reculver-towers-and-roman-fort/
- Attend cultural events at the Central Bandstand - https://www.canterbury.co.uk/homepage/5/result?resultID=795&indexID=9
- Spend time outdoors at the Herne Bay Memorial Park - https://explorekent.org/activities/herne-bay-memorial-park/
Great for dogs in Herne Bay
- Take them for a walk at West Beach, Whitstable
- Check out the Dungeness, near Lydd-on-Sea
- Let them soak up the sun at Tankerton Beach, Whitstable
Dog friendly bars
- The Ship Inn
- Four Fathoms Kent Pub of the year
- Divers Arms
Dog friendly restaurants
- Harry's Cafe
- Makcaris
- The Curious Cat
Did you know?
The Clock Tower, located at the seafront of Herne Bay, is the first and oldest clock tower built as a freestanding monument that the world has seen. Built in 1837, the Clock Tower was funded by benefactor Mrs. Ann Thwaytes, widow of prominent grocer William Thwaytes.
The hidden gems of Herne Bay
There is a themed restaurant in Herne Bay called the Alice and the Hatter Tearooms, which brings the famous Alice and Wonderland fantasy novel to life. Centre of attention in this restaurant is the Queen of Hearts table, accommodating large groups of people wanting to experience a magical dinner in Herne Bay.
Unique to Herne Bay
Roller Hockey, a type of hockey played using wheeled skates instead of ice skates and on a dry surface rather than an ice skating rink, originated in Herne Bay.
