Spotlight on: Ramsgate

Ramsgate's Royal harbour

Archant

The Royal harbour is the heart of town, comprised of an inner and outer wharf and marina, and there are lots of cafés and restaurants here that have created a real ‘café culture’ atmosphere, perfect for sunny days.

In addition there are glorious golden sandy beaches, and the town also has lots of small interesting shops. It was the home of Augustus Pugin, arguably the most innovative architect England has ever known, and the home he built for himself and the church alongside are among Ramsgate’s loveliest buildings.

Culture & entertainment

The Boating Pool, (01843 581999, CT11 0HE) with an art gallery, restaurant, mini bike track, children’s play area, monkey cage gallery; Sailors Church (01843 589848, CT11 9LG) has a collection of model ships and paintings; Granville Theatre and Cinema (01843 591750, CT11 8DG); Updown Art Gallery (01843 588181, CT11 9BW).

Sport and lesisure

Ramsgate Sports Centre (01843 585111, CT11 9TT) is a large fitness studio/gym with a wide range of equipment and sports hall. The subject of a £4m investment in 2012, including the building of a spa and swimming pool, the spa is now open, but at the time of writing there’s no news of when the new pool comes on board.

The new spa has a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room, ice fountain, salt room, and offers many different treatments (facials, massage waxing, etc).

Ramsgate swim centre (01843 593754, CT11 0QX) has a large pool.

Events

Costumed walks (August: 6, 13, 20, 27): these are guided walks around historic Ramsgate, where you may meet costumed characters from the past.

Ramsgate Week (12-17 August) is the Royal Temple Yacht club’s annual regatta. Summer Squall (24-26 August) This is a celebration of the arts which, among other things, features an open art exhibition at the Updown Gallery, a model boat Parade and a Hand-made Fair. Suzy Humphries (see My Town) adds: “There are also activities happening all over town, focusing on the harbour. There’s OperaUpClose, performing The Barber of Seville, the Si Cranstoun Jive Band, street theatre, workshops, and The Caravan Gallery.”

Notable buildings

Italianate Green house (within the

George V1 memorial park) (CT11 8BD), St George’s Church (CT11 8RG), The Grange (home of Augustus Pugin) and St Augustine church alongside (CT11 9NY) are all beautiful and offer fine views.

The Grange’s main rooms are open by appointment on Wednesday afternoons, and you can book a holiday in the house, via the owners the Landmark Trust (01628 825925). There are lots of beautiful Regency squares and terraces, including Nelson, Royal and Wellington Crescents, Guildford Lawn and Liverpool Lawn.

Places to visit

Among the most notable are: the RAF Manston Spitfire and Hurricane museum (01843 825224, CT12 5DF), Monkton Nature reserve (822666, CT12 4LH), Pegwell Bay Country Park (CT12 5JB).

Shopping

Westwood Cross shopping centre (CT12 5AD ) is just outside town and has all the major stores plus a multiplex cinema and many places to eat. Ramsgate’s shops are mainly independents; there is a large market in the pedestrianised part of town on Fridays and Saturdays.

Property prices

One- and two-bedroom flats are approximately £81,000 and £125,500 respectively, a three-bedroom semi around £243,000, while a four-bedroom detached home might be upwards of £265,000.