Setting the scene:
Home to the UK’s only Royal Harbour, some incredible regency architecture, and a host of beautifully positioned leafy squares, Ramsgate offers walkers something special at every turn. With not one but two walking loops to explore either separately or together, this route offers the chance to soak up everything that this historically rich harbour town has to offer… without so much as a muddy stile in sight!
THE WALK
1. Loop 1 of today’s circuit commences on the corner of Harbour Parade. Stroll down the street towards the water, with the Marina sitting on your right. This street leads you to the Clock Tower, a tribute to the courageous WW2 operations launched from Ramsgate. Directly beside the Tower you’ll find a building made from a converted shipping container that features some brilliant artwork of a tumultuous sea, and an old Steam Tug called ‘Cervia’ that was part of a restoration project by the Ramsgate Maritime Museum
2. As you continue, you'll pass the Marina's amenities block. Head straight, and cross the bridge between the Marina and Royal Harbour, where you'll catch sight of the RNLI station to your left.
3. Keep following the trail towards the large red buoy on the quayside, passing another amenities block. Embrace the beauty of West Pier as it leads you out towards the lighthouse, perched on its end. On a clear day, indulge in breathtaking views of St Margaret's headland and Pegwell Bay from this vantage point. Take a moment to sit on one of the benches around the lighthouse and soak up the surrounding views out to the water beyond.
4. Feeling well rested? It’s time to continue on! Follow the path back to the red buoy, then forge ahead towards the Sailor's Church. Exit the marina gates, and there (on the church’s exterior wall) you'll find a blue plaque commemorating the valiant contribution of HMS Fervent during WW2.
5. Before you conclude Loop 1 to begin Loop 2, why not take some time to explore the hidden arches beneath the Royal Parade, where you can stop, rest, and buy a coffee for your onward journey? Nestled beneath the arches, we highly recommend venturing into Archive Homestore & Kitchen. Pick up a hot refreshment, and lean in to that urge to grab something sweet from the counter (made daily on-site by the kitchen team). Warm chocolate brownie? Peanut butter cookie? Orange, almond & polenta cake? We’ll take one of each for the road…
6. Time to embark on Loop 2. Cross the road opposite Mariners Bar and set your course up York Street. Pass by the delightful Corby's Tea Rooms, as well as a variety of other shops and stores, until you reach a T-junction, where you'll turn right onto Queen Street.
7. As you approach the junction with Lloyds bank sitting on your left, make a left turn onto the High Street. After 180 metres, take another left into George Street and continue straight along the street onto Guildford Lawn, graced by a fabulous terrace of Regency houses.
8. Follow the curve of the road, and soon you'll arrive outside the magnificent Public Library, lovingly restored after a serious fire in 2004. Admire the stunning stained-glass window, a masterpiece by a local artist, incorporating designs from talented local school children.
9. Make your next turn up ahead into Clarendon Gardens, where you'll follow the road until it meets Elms Avenue. Look to your right, and there you'll spot the Almshouses of the Parish of St George, a sure sign you're on the right track.
10. Turning left into Elms Avenue, pass along the boundary of Clarendon House Grammar School and use the pelican crossing to safely cross over into Beresford Road on your right-hand side. At the end of Beresford Road, make a left turn into Vale Square and admire the inviting fenced park and sheltered garden. Turn right, keeping the park on your left, and head down the leafy lane toward the majestic spire of Christchurch Church ahead. Follow the bend in Vale Square, leading you back to a junction with Vale Court. Turn right here and head towards the Artillery Arms pub on the opposite side of West Cliff Road.
11. Continue over West Cliff Road into Royal Road, aiming for the prominent sign of the Trafalgar Hotel painted on a tall building. Take a moment to explore the delights of Spencer Square, from its historic terraced houses to the serene park and tennis courts. Here you should also keep your eyes peeled for two blue plaques honouring both renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh, and local author John-Gibson Lockhart.
12. Cross over and turn right into St Augustine's Road, and soon you'll encounter the historic St Augustine's Abbey and Gothic church designed by Pugin. Both buildings are easily recognisable by their flint-stone construction. Continue ahead, and then turn left, passing some public toilets, before reaching the West Cliff Promenade and the Lookout kiosk. Follow the promenade, and you'll be rewarded with more splendid vistas as you head back towards the Harbour.
13. As you stroll past the Churchill Tavern, the promenade runs parallel with the road. Around 165 metres beyond the pub, cross the road to enter Nelson Crescent. Keep following the road into Prospect Terrace until you reach the Foy Boat public house. Make a left turn into Liverpool Lawn, famous for its Regency-style houses and named after Earl Liverpool, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and Prime Minister from 1812 to 1827.
14. Meander on, with the lovely "lawn" sitting on your right, until you turn into a smaller lane called Adelaide Gardens. From here, you'll emerge at a T-junction opposite a house with a blue plaque commemorating the birthplace of Sir William Jordan, the New Zealand High Commissioner. Turn left, and almost immediately turn right into Albert Street, leading you to some modern apartments. Take a left into Grundy's Hill, and you'll spot Waitrose supermarket at the bottom of the hill on the opposite side of Queen Street. Turn right into Queen Street and continue for approximately 175 metres, passing Cliff Street, Princes Street, and Leopold Street along the way. Follow the fourth turn on your right into York Street, and about 30 metres ahead, you'll see the entrance to Charlotte Court, a quaint alley on your left, right opposite the Sunrise Café.
15. Continue through Charlotte Court and soon you'll reach the end of today’s walk, right back where it all began – on the corner of Harbour Parade.
COMPASS POINTS
Steps, stats & stiles:
Choose between two separate loops from this walk, or combine the two loops together for a slightly longer route. Loop 1 is 1.4 miles (2.3km) in length, and Loop 2 is slightly longer at 2 miles (3.2km). Allow 45 minutes for Loop 1, 1 hour for Loop 2, or 2 hours to complete both circuits together at a leisurely pace. This route is mainly pathed, with no stiles or obstructions.
Perfectly-placed refuel spot:
What’s a trip to the coast without a steaming bag of fish and chips? Look no further than Peter’s Fish Factory - easily identifiable by the queue forming out of its doorway!
Make a day of it:
Spend a day beside the seaside, with a trip a few miles further along the coastline to Ramsgate’s neighbouring town, beautiful Broadstairs. With a sandy beach at Joss Bay, plenty of independent shops to explore, and a true sense of British seaside nostalgia, Broadstairs is the perfect coastal spot to enjoy a long, lazy afternoon.
Route followed:
For this month’s walk we followed the ‘Town Rounders: Regency, Royal & Riviera (Ramsgate Town Walk)’ route, on the Visit Ramsgate website (courtesy of Active Ramsgate): visitramsgate.co.uk/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TOWN-ROUNDERS-Ramsgate-Town-Walk.pdf
