Herne Bay has many attractions and amenities that contribute to it being a lovely place to live, not least of course its shingle beach, promenade with traditional gardens, seaside shops and amusement arcades, and its pier. Sticking with the coast, Hampton, Swalecliffe, Tankerton, and Whitstable beaches can all be reached in around 10 minutes by car, while Reculver Beach is around 15 minutes’ drive away. Reculver village is notable as the setting for a Roman fort, then a monastery on the same site and built in the 7th century. The remaining medieval towers, added in the 12th century, remain today as a local landmark.
Cultural destinations include Herne Bay Little Theatre, which stages several shows each year, and The King’s Hall, which offers a comprehensive programme of comedy, live music and musical theatre. The small and independent Kavanagh Cinema is less than 10 minutes’ drive from Oxenden Park and is a popular alternative to the more usual modern multiplexes. Just over the road from the cinema, the quirky Seaside Museum in the town centre, presents a regularly changing series of exhibitions from local and national artists, as well as photography collections, landscape paintings and family-friendly events.
Outdoor attractions include Herne Bay Memorial Park, which has a children’s play area, lake, tennis courts, a grassed games area, formal and sensory gardens, and Reculver Country Park, which is a site of special scientific interest and home to a variety of wildlife.
The town has active hockey, football, bowls and cricket clubs; there’s a swimming pool, gym, dance and fitness studios at Herons Leisure Centre, and a roller skating rink at the Bay Sports Arena. Rowing and sailing are offered by Herne Bay Amateur Rowing Club and Herne Bay Sailing Club, while the Herne Bay Paddle Co provides paddle boarding lessons.
Margate, that quintessential English seaside town, is around 30 minutes by car from the development. Its sandy beaches, Dreamland Amusement Park, ice cream, fish and chip shops, prom and splendid sea views continue to attract tourists and is well worth a visit.
