Herne Bay Area Guide

My area guide to living in the seaside town of Herne Bay on the Kent coast by local resident Haydon Rouse.  

5 Interesting facts about Herne Bay

• Fossil of the world's earliest known horse, dating back 54 million years, was discovered in 1838 in the cliffs at Studd Hill, Herne Bay.
• Herne Bay's seafront is home to what's thought to be the world's first freestanding purpose-built Clock Tower, built in 1837.
• The first substantial houses in Herne Bay town were built about 1820.
• The actor and presenter Bob Holness lived in the town as a child and attended Herne Bay Primary School.
• In the early 18th century windmills in the Herne area — there's one remaining on the hill, were used by smugglers for signalling purposes.

Properties in Herne Bay

Herne Bay has a wide array of property types including bungalows, terraced houses, flats, apartments, detached and semi detached houses. There is a varied mix of Georgian, Regency, Victorian/Edwardian, Art Deco and modern style properties.

For smaller families or young professional couples who are looking for smaller residential properties, many of the large, terraced townhouses have been converted into flats. There have also been many new build properties alongside the Thanet Way that attract many professionals, especially those working in London and who enjoy the lifestyle that owning such a property brings.

Areas of Herne Bay

Below is a map of the different areas in and around Herne Bay...

Click the area name below for more information...

Transport Links

What to do in Herne Bay

There is never a shortage of things to do in Herne Bay, because of the amazing variety of eating establishments, pubs, events, historic places and clubs. There is a cinema, a pier, galleries, a swimming pool, gyms, and parks. The list goes on!

Dining

Over recent years the number of eateries in the town has increased considerably and we're now spoilt for choice. Some of them include:

• Oyster and Chop House, 8 High Street, Herne Bay
• The Cow Shed Bar & Grill, 1 Hight Street, Herne Bay
• A Casa Mia, 160 High Street, Herne Bay
• A La Turka, 61 Central Parade, Herne Bay 

Pubs & Bars

• The Wine Bar, 85A Mortimer St, Herne Bay
• Hampton Inn, 72 Western Esplanade, Herne Bay
• Four Fathoms, High St, Herne Bay
• The Ship, 17 Central Parade, Herne Bay

Theatres

• Herne Bay Little Theatre - 44 Bullers Avenue, Herne Bay, CT6 8UH
• Kings Hall on the seafront, also sometimes has theatrical performances.

Things to do & Places to visit

• Central Bandstand - A historic landmark on the Herne Bay seafront. There is an stage where live music is performed and a seating area. A real sun trap. Inside area has a cafe and an Indian restaurant.  
• Beach - Herne Bay beach is shingle and pebbles and has a number of groynes stretching out into the sea. Has a promenade for lovely walks along the front. Herne Bay east beach is backed by a sea wall and behind that, grassy slopes, known as The Downs are criss-crossed with a number of footpaths. This area is a haven for birdlife and has been designated a Special Protection Area for birds.
• Pier - another historic landmark, once one of the longest in the country, now much shorter after storms destroyed a large section. It has a helter-skelter, carousel, ice cream parlour, fish and chips and a selection of beach huts from which people sell various gifts and foods. Free fishing and crabbing attracts young and old.  Musical entertainment and other events are regularly held on the pier.
• Herne Windmill - a Grade I listed smock mill, open from Easter to end of September.
• Kavanagh Cinema - an independent cinema with 2 screens showing latest mainstream releases and classic films.
• Reculver Towers and Fort - Medieval ruins. Site of one of the earliest Roman forts built against Saxon raids on the 'Saxon Shore'. It later became the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery.
• The Kings Hall - a theatre, concert hall and dance hall. It was built as The Pavilion in 1903–1904.
• Clock Tower - a Grade II listed landmark. Believed to be one of the earliest purpose-built, free-standing clock towers.
• Thornden Woods - Ancient woodland and a site of special scientific interest.
• Herons Leisure Centre - has a gym, swimming pool and cafe.
• Blean Woods - Discover some of England’s most historic and well-preserved natural woodland
• Wildwood Discovery Park - a woodland discovery park featuring over fifty species of native British animals such as deer, badgers, wild boar, wolves and brown bear.
• Herne Bay Mini Golf - 18 hole mini golf course suitable for all ages / abilities. Open all year round.

Eating Out - Cafes

Coffee culture has certainly arrived in Herne Bay during the last couple of years! The town now boasts a wide selection of cafes/coffee shops including:

• Makcari's Ice Cream and Cafe, 54 Central Parade
• Very Vintage, 25 William St.
• Salt and light, 159 Mortimer St.
• Cafe Latino,  95 Mortimer St.

Add your cafe/coffee shop to this guide to Herne Bay.

Schools

Primary and first schools:

Secondary schools:

• Herne Bay High School

and the next nearest is The Community College Whitstable and Archbishops C. of E. in Canterbury.

School Ofsted Ratings, Catchment Areas etc. - View my Herne Bay schools information page.

Population

In the 2001 census Herne Bay had a population of 38,563 and a population density of 11.3 persons per hectare.  Are you thinking of moving to the town?  Herne Bay is a great place to live.

History of Herne Bay

The town of Herne Bay took its name from the neighbouring village of Herne. Until the end of the 18th Century, Herne Bay was no more than a scattering of cottages and inns, inhabited by fisherman, smugglers and a few agricultural labourers. One of the oldest buildings in Herne Bay is the late 18th-century inn The Ship, which served as the focal point for the small shipping and farming community that first inhabited the town.

There was little development until the 1830s, when a group of London investors recognised Herne Bay's potential as a seaside resort and built a wooden pier and a promenade on the town's seafront. The pier, built in 1832, was the catalyst to Herne Bay's rapid growth and success. Passenger steamers dropped day trippers off on the pier head and Herne Bay became a popular Victorian seaside destination. Local landowners then set about developing the area and building housing. Read about the history of Herne Bay Pier.

Local Events

The Herne Bay community holds a number of local events, some of which have become annual occurrences.

• Herne Bay Festival - "Bay Fest"
• Herne Bay Air Show
• Sci-Fi by the Sea
• Carnival
• Herne Bay Classic Motor Show
• Herne Bay 5k
• Cartoon Festival
• Radio Drama Festival
• Race for Life

Sport

The are a number of sports club and facilities in the Herne Bay area. Here is a small selection:

IMPORTANT!

I have created this guide as just that, a guide! You should do your own independent research before taking any action. These are my own personal findings and you may feel differently - this is a guide only.

I hope you have enjoyed this Herne Bay area guide and found it useful.  If you have any feedback or suggestions then please let me know!  If you run a business in Herne Bay you may be interested in my Herne Bay Advertising Manual.