18 Dec 2014
Ramsgate is situated at the very edge of Kent, The Garden of England, but is easily accessible from London via good road links and a high speed train service – 80 minutes from London St. Pancras to Ramsgate.
The story of Ramsgate goes back to Roman and Anglo-Saxon times and two famous landings nearby, that of Hengist and Horsa and then later, in 597, St. Augustine from Rome, who re-introduced Christianity to this part of Britain.
Ramsgate has the only 'Royal Harbour' in the country, so named at the request of George IV in recognition of the hospitality the town had bestowed upon him.
The coming of the first railway in 1846 brought ever increasing numbers of visitors to the town and countless renowned people have stayed here, including George du Maurier, James Tissot, Augustus Pugin, Vincent Van Gogh, Wilkie Collins and Jane Austen.
Ramgate played a heroic part in 1940 in sending some of the 'little ships' as they were called, out to Dunkirk, and subsequently receiving in the harbour approximately 80,000 soldiers safely brought back from France.
These days Ramsgate is increasingly popular as a great base for an active break, just the thing for burning off the extra calories consumed over the festive break.
Below is a sample Active Ramsgate short-break.
For further information on Ramsgate, additional accommodation and food and drink venues and events, go to www.enjoyramsgate.co.uk or www.visitthanet.co.uk for Ramsgate and its sister towns of Broadstairs and Margate.
Day one - Walk the Ramsgate coast
Three carefully prepared routes on the Kent coast have been created to help walkers experience as much of the attractions as possible – as easily as possible:
1 - The Contra Trail - Ramsgate to Pegwell Bay - A Royal Harbour with the common touch. An English monument to a Viking invasion. A nature reserve you'll want to shout about. Whatever you think you know about the South East coast, get ready to think again, because this is a route that's brimming with fascinating contradictions.
Distance: 6.1 miles (9.8km) one-way including Nature Reserve loop - allow 3 hours
2 - Sea It All - Ramsgate to Broadstairs – If you enjoy the sea, you will love this coast hugging, cliff topping, café cruising circuit. From the beautiful Italian Gardens to the breath taking views across Viking Bay, every step leads to something special you can enjoy.
Distance: 5 miles (8km) circular - allow 2.5 hours for the circular and 1.5 hours one way
3 - Ramsgate Town Rounders - Regency, Royal & Riviera – a stroll through Ramsgate's historic town Ramsgate. With two circuits, numerous attractions and an impressive list of cafés, bars, shops and places of interest to explore, Town Rounders is definitely a path worth following.
Distance: Loop 1 - 1.4 miles (2.3km) - allow 45 minutes; Loop 2 - 2 miles (3.2km) - allow 1 hour
All routes can be downloaded from: www.ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate/walking-kent-coast.aspx
Day Two - Take a Boat Trip and go Geocaching
Whether you want to see seals in their natural habitat, get up close to one of the largest windfarms in the world, enjoy a fast powerboat experience or discover more of the areas beaches and bays – you can do so with one of the experienced companies operating out of the Royal Harbour.
Rib Request – www.ribrequest.com
Seasearcher – www.seasearcher.co.uk
Visit www.geocaching.com to download the free official geocaching app. Then set off on a tour of the surrounding geocaches in the area to see what you will find!
Day Three - Cycle the Viking Coastal Trail
Cycle along the Viking Coast Trail. The 32 mile (51.4km) Viking Coastal Trail boasts on and off-road bike trails, rolling countryside, cliff-top routes and a backdrop of sea views, perfect for experienced cyclists looking for thrills, or families wanting sandcastles, ice creams and a beach-hopping cycle ride on the stunning Kent coast.
If you would like to take a refreshment stop along the way, you could stop off in Broadstairs for a coffee or ice cream at one of two famous ice cream parlours - Morelli's Gelato (14 Victoria Parade, Broadstairs, CT10 1QS) or Chiappinis (1 The Parade, CT10 1NB)
Download the cycling trail map here: www.vikingcoastaltrail.co.uk
If you want to intersperse the activity with something a little more cultural, or need a wet weather alternative, try one of these:
Ramsgate Tunnels Tour - Harbour Parade, Ramsgate, CT11 8LN
Tel: 01843 588123
Take a guided tour around the network of Deep Shelter Tunnels under Ramsgate, which housed 60,000 people during the Second World War
UpDown Gallery - Satis House, 11 Elms Avenue, Ramsgate, CT11 9BW
Tel: 01843 588 181
Open Thursday to Sunday 11am to 5pm
York Street Gallery - 22 York Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9DS
Tel: 07887 477948
Open Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Ramsgate Maritime Museum - The Clock House, Pier Yard, Ramsgate, CT11 8LS
Tel: 01843 570622
Set in the heart of the country's only Royal Harbour, the Museum tells the maritime history of the area with displays on the development of the Harbour, navigation, fishing, lifeboats and shipwrecks. The Clock House is also the site of the unique Ramsgate Meridian – from which its own particular Mean Time – 5 minutes, 41 seconds ahead of Greenwich – was calculated.
www.ramsgatemaritimemuseum.org
Pugin's Grange and St. Augustine's Church – St. Augustine's Road, Ramsgate, CT11 9NY
These were the home and church of influential architect and designer Augustus Pugin, built so he could live out his idea of life in a medieval, Catholic community, in buildings executed in the Gothic style of so-called pointed architecture. The restoration of The Grange was the subject of a Time Team TV special.
Tel: 01843 592071 or www.augustinefriend.co.uk (church)
Tel: 01843 596401 or www.landmarktrust.org.uk (Grange)
Gadds' Ramsgate Brewery – 7 Hornet Close, Pyson's Road Industrial Estate, Broadstairs, CT10 2YD
Tel: 01843 868453
The Gadds, modern brewers of East Kent, create fresh, local ale at its Ramsgate Brewery, selling it in cask and bottle. Visit the Brewery for a tour and tasting.
Where to stay?
The Royal Harbour Hotel - 10-12 Nelson Crescent, Ramsgate, CT11 9JF
Tel: 01843 591 594
The Royal Harbour Hotel is a delightful quirky 27 bedroom townhouse hotel that stands on a Georgian crescent with magnificent views of the harbour and sea. Simplicity, elegance and eccentricity go hand in hand! The newly opened Empire Room restaurant serves classic British dishes in a club setting.
NEW - Albion House - Albion Place,Ramsgate, CT11 8HQ
Tel: 01843 606630
This newly opened boutique hotel has retained many original features of the 1790 building The return of Albion House, Ramsgate to all its majesty has seen the introduction of carrara marble bathrooms, renewed, elegant sash windows and exquisitely adorned bedrooms. The hotel also offers wine tasting courses and an exclusive seaweed bathhouse. Its restaurant will be working with Haeckels from Margate.
Glendevon Guest House -8 Truro Road, Ramsgate, CT11 8DB
Tel: 01843 570909
Four star silver guest house, which has a Walkers and Cyclists Welcome accreditation, so perfect for those that want to get out and about in the area.
Comfort Inn - Victoria Parade, CT11 8DT
Tel: 01843 592345
Holiday Inn Express -Tothill Street, Minster, CT12 4AU
Tel: 01843 820250
Oak Hotel - 66 Harbour Parade, CT11 8LN
Tel: 01843 583686
Pegwell Bay Hotel - 81 Pegwell Road, CT11 0NJ
Tel: 01843 599590
Coastguards Cottage (self-catering)
Tel: 01634 722444
The Coach House (self-catering)
Tel: 01843 590724
For other accommodation in the area go to www.visitthanet.co.uk/plan-your-visit-introduction/places-to-stay
Food and drink
The Arch Bar - Royal Harbour, 9 Military Road, CT11 9LG
Tel: 01843 580003
Freshly cooked hot and cold food, the likes of sandwiches, jacket potatoes etc.
Il Tricolore - 49-51 King Street, Ramsgate, CT11 8NP
Tel: 01843 589798
Freshly made-from-scratch Italian food, delicious wide and varied menu
Royal Harbour Brasserie - End of the East Pier, Royal Harbour Parade, CT11 8LS
Tel: 01843 599059
The brassiere's unique position offers panoramic views of Ramsgate marina, the jetty and out to sea. Even France can be seen on a clear day! Dine al fresco on the extensive terrace, the town's fine Georgian and Regency houses frame the marina and, in the evening, create a magical backdrop to the harbour. The menu concentrates on simple dishes beautifully prepared with the freshest of local and Kent ingredients.
www.royalharbourbrasserie.co.uk
The Bon Appetit - 4 West Cliff Arcade, CT11 8LH
Tel: 01843 852750
A family run, classic French continental style restaurant overlooking the Royal Harbour in Ramsgate. With a perfect blend of fine dining and a homely feel, the restaurant is a perfect location. All tables offer views of the harbour and on a sunny day customers can enjoy a meal outside with a glass of wine.
Ramsgate Arches – it is also worth checking out the newly refurbished arches which are now home to a 'harbour village' of little cafes, art galleries and marina suppliers.
For further information on places to eat in Ramsgate and local events – www.enjoyramsgate.co.uk
Press trips can be arranged for journalists with a commission, please contact julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk or ring 01843 577671 (up to and including Friday 19 December and from Monday 5 January).
