 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
About Broadstairs The quaint Victorian seaside resort of Broadstairs is located in the far East corner of Kent and is flanked by the stunning white chalk cliffs which extend South and West towards Ramsgate and Dover, and North and Westerly, via beautiful coves with fine, sandy beaches to Margate and the famous shrimping venue of Herne Bay, the favorite retreat of P. G. Wodehouse's fictitious butler "Jeeves". Hugely popular in the late 19th Century with visitors travelling down from London to use the bathing huts to enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are still dominated by the grandeur of Victorian and Regency architecture. Broadstairs is perhaps now most famous for its links with Charles Dickens, who spent a month every year at this favourite haunt, where he wrote substantial portions of some of his most celebrated works. The fortified house which dominates the skyline, and where Dickens stayed, has now been renamed "Bleak House" after his novel. The annual Dickens Festival sees the town's residents, schoolchildren and visitors dressed in Victorian costume for the grand Parade, and features many Victorian and Dickensian-themed events.
..and if eating out is your passion, Broadstairs boasts a rich diversity of restaurants, ranging from traditional English and the excellent Seafood menu of the Tartar Frigate pub (which overlooks the beach), through Italian cuisine hosted on the terraces above the cliffs to the stylish sophistication of a couple of well-presented Indian restaurants. Local attractions Broadstairs has a great deal to offer the visitor, whether you want to stay in the town or venture further afield. On the doorstep, as well as the beautifully quaint Viking Bay - a crescent of sandy beach which forms the focus of the resort, and which still retains much of the original Victorian style and charm - Broadstairs is known for its links with Charles Dickens, who spent many holidays at various guest houses in Broadstairs. The most famous of Dickens' haunts is the large fortified house which dominates the landscape, and which is named after his novel "Bleak House"
Broadstairs is also within easy reach of a number of other towns, from Ramsgate, with its architecturally fascinating and picturesque Royal Harbour, around the coastline dotted with a number of excellent beaches including the beautiful Joss Bay at Kingsgate to Margate with its famous sweep of fine golden sand and busy seafront. The East Kent countryside is home to many excellent family pubs, providing a superb range of traditional pub cuisine. Due to its proximity to France, Thanet has had more than its fair share of invaders, and there is much of unique historical interest locally:
Just a few miles to the West along the "Viking Way" cycle route (which links coastal towns around Thanet), there is a full-size replica of a Viking ship, of the type used by the Vikings when they landed here in the 5th Century. Much earlier, around 55 BC the Romans brought their culture and architecture to East Kent, building forts at Reculver (a few miles to the North of Broadstairs) and Richborough (a few miles West of Broadstairs). The busy port of Dover, which now provides an excellent range of daily sailings to the continent, is home to an ancient Roman house and an excellently preserved Bronze-age boat in its museum. |
|
© Copyright Torwood House 2007