As well as our wonderful Pier and Clocktower on the front. Herne Bay has lots to offer visitors.
Wildwood is located 3.5 miles outside of Herne Bay
and is set in 40 acres of ancient woodland, Wildwood holds a stunning collection of over 200 British animals in natural enclosures.
See bears, wolves, otters, foxes, deer, badgers, owls, wild horses, lynx, beavers, wild cats, bison, squirrels, wild boar, reindeer and many more as you walk around the twisting trails through an ancient British woodland.
Details on prices and opening times can by found on the Wildwood website here
Beach Creative is Herne Bay's very own Arts hub and includes the wonderful Gas House Gallery and the Toast Coffee Shop. Full details of opening hours, activities, exhibitions and workshops can be found on Beach Creative website here Free Entry
Things to do in and around Herne Bay
Beacon Hill to the East of Herne Bay offers a lovely walk up to the downs with spectacular views of Reculver Towers to the East and the Isle of Sheppey to the West full details and a map can be found here Free Entry
Beacon Hill
Fun for all the family can be found inside Cains Amusements - situated opposite the Pier on Herne Bay Seafront - open from 8am - 10pm.
Central Bandstand - The Bandstand is situated on Central Parade in between the Clocktower and the Pier. Sit in the historic venue and have a drink, ice cream or a bite to eat from Makcaris
Central Bandstand
Herne Bay Amateur Rowing Club is situated at the Hampton end of town, just past our colourful beach huts for more info see website
Central Beach
Sit yourself down in a deck chair and take in the views, enjoy fish and chips by the seafront or play the arcades nearby.
Herne Bay Clocktower
The Towns icon landmark - The Clock Tower built in 1837 and refurbished more recently this was gifted to the town by Mrs Ann Thwaites -rumour has it she wanted to see the time when she got off of the boat at the Pier. It is now a memorial for the Boer War. More info can be found here
Take a journey through the streets of Herne Bay to discover parts of history and intrigue that makes this coastal town the perfect little gem to come and visit. Herne Bay's history is varied
Did you know the bouncing bomb was tested at Reculver, that Amy Johnson died just off the coast of Herne Bay or that one of the 'Brides in the Bath' murders happened here.
Start in William Street car park and finish at the railway station for a couple of hours of entertaining history.
If you want to add a bit of extra fun to this walk, try following the geocaching app. Some of these points of interest come under the premium geocaching version.
Cultural Trail
East Beach
Put on your walking boots or get on your bike for exploring this quiet bit of coastline between Herne Bay and Reculver. Start with a nice ice cream from Scoops within Kings Hall and walk towards the Reculver Towers
On top of the Reculver slopes, you'll enjoy some amazing views of the Thames Estuary and wind farm.
Hippodrome
Take your little ones for an indoor adventure at Herne Bay Hippodrome! Slides, ball pools, swing balls and lots more await for kids aged two up. They also cater for birthday parties. Entry starts at £3.50pp
This quaint 72-seat theatre puts on up to eight shows a year, ranging from comedy to tragedy and all that's in between. For the latest info visit the website
At the end of World War I, Herne Bay Memorial Park was established to commemorate localy fallen heroes. The cenotaph was unveiled by General Sir Charles Warren on 11 November 1922, and lists the names of 211 people who fell in World War I plus those from later conflicts.
In 2014 the park was given Centenary Field status and is protected by Fields in Trust in perpetuity to honour the memory of the millions who gave their lives in World War I. The war memorial garden, at the end of the Avenue of Rememberance, is a tranquil place to sit and reflect.
Today the park also has formal planted gardens, sensory gardens, and a community kitchen garden; a children's play area and several sporting facilities, including football, tennis and bowls; and a fair sized lake, that's home to a large number of ducks, and is used for model boats.
Memorial Park
Right on the seafront, this 18 hole course is suitable for all ages and abilities. A great family activity with a little healthy competition!
Prices are £2.00 - Toddlers (0-3) £3.50 Kids (4-15) £4.50 Adults (16+) Family Ticket £14 (two adults and two children).
Herne Bay Mini Golf
Herne Bay Sailing Club is situated just past the Kings Hall alongside Beacon Hill
Herne Bay Sailing Club
Herne Windmill
Dating from the 1700s, Herne Mill is an original smock mill now looked after by volunteers.
Take a look inside the building for a look at what life would have been like for the workers, or enjoy a cream tea outside on a sunny day.
Adults £2.00 Kids under 16 free
Herons Leisure Centre is open to everyone and offers a wide range of superb facilities including swimming pools, flume, dance and fitness studios, gym, creche and café.
For full details of opening hours and pricing see website
Herons Leisure Centre
IFun Family Entertainment Centre - a short walk up from the Pier is Herne Bays other Amusement arcade Opening times are 9am-9pm
IFun Entertainment Centre
Saturday night at the movies...or any night at this place! Also open in the afternoons.
This independent cinema is located right in the heart of Herne Bay, offering bargain prices for the latest releases and old classics.
Price is £4.00 per person
Kavanagh Cinema
One New Street is a fabulous Art Gallery with a painting studio, printing facilities for etching and lino printing and a workshop for constructing sculptural pieces and frames.
For opening times and exhibitions see website
One New Street
Once used as a testing site for the World War II bouncing bomb, this shingle beach is now a haven for those looking for a peaceful hideaway in the rural setting of the Reculver Country Park. Key features of this beach are its imposing 12th century towers and Roman fort. This is a magnificent spot for a picnic with its secluded grassy area and stunning views out to sea.
Reculver Beach
Reculver Towers, built AD669 as one of the earliest Roman forts was later used as a navigation marker for ships at sea and is now better known as a photographer’s paradise, who capture this photogenic landmark throughout the year. The towers are usually open to the public once a year during Heritage Days, but the grounds and ruins of the Anglo-Saxon monastery are open to the public all year round.
Reculver Country Park is a unique place with its open grasslands, cliff and shoreline and is home to a large and diverse collection of plants and wildlife. Natural England designated it as internationally important as a Special Protection Area, and nationally important as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, where you can see a 180 degree view of Herne Bay to Margate.
The large car park means that families can stop to play in the children’s play area, enjoy the views from the coffee shop or public house as a stop off on your Oyster Bay Trail bike ride, geocaching experience or during your ramble on the Saxon Shore Trail. Website
Reculver Towers and Country Park
Enjoy the sights and sounds to be experienced along one of the most rapidly changing stretches of the Kent coastline. Head through Reculver Country Park along the famous Saxon Shore Way and back alongside the strand.
Route type: Circular
Distance: 3.5 miles | 5.6 km
Start postcode: CT6 6SU
For full details of walk and map see website
Reculver Walk
"I want to breathe new life in to the building, and share my passion for creative pursuits and the benefit they can have on people's quality for life.”
Jo Oakley
For full details of exhibitions and workshops see website
She Rose by Jo Oakley
The Activity Box situated in William Street is a great place to come for some arty fun. Its easy, pop in, get comfy and design your very own piece of art! For full details of pricing and opening hours see website
The Activity Box
The Bay Sports Arena
Operated by Active Life Ltd, the Bay Sports Arena (situated in the grounds of Herne Bay High School) is open to the public outside of school hours - evenings, weekends, half terms and school holidays.
Facilities available include stunning international standard roller rink for family skating, roller disco, roller hockey and lessons plus badminton and football halls, fitness and dance classes, children's parties and holiday activities. For more information or to book call 01227 366 921
The King's Hall is not only an architectural gem, that captivates visitors with its original Edwardian features and seafront views.
It's also an amazing entertainment space offering a wide range of events and shows for all to enjoy.
You can also hire the Kings Hall for weddings and parties
For full details of whats on, opening hours and how to get there see website
The Kings Hall
From Dambusters to floods, piers to Punch and Judy, the Seaside Museum has plenty of surprises under one roof. Displays include local paintings, prints and photos, prehistoric elephant tusks and fossils from local beaches, coastal wildlife and a Barnes Wallis Bouncing Bomb prototype from World War Two.
With a rolling programme of exhibitions and events there is always something new to see and do. There is also a gift shop stocking local-history books, work by local makers and a good range of seaside gifts. The Seaside Museum is now managed and run entirely by volunteers.
Prices start at £2.00 for concessions £3.00 for adults for full details on other pricing and opening hours see website
The Seaside Museum
Theatre in the Park is a charming amphitheatre set within 14 acres of beautiful grounds at Strode Park in the picturesque village of Herne, located on the A291 between Herne Bay and Canterbury.
The theatre has a seating capacity for 300 people and has been purpose built to offer total access for people with disabilities. Facilities include picnic area, free parking and licensed bar selling real ale.
For full details of whats on please see website
Theatre in the Park
The Sewing Club is an established sewing school. They offer courses, workshops and private tuition in dress making and soft furnishings. They also run screen printing birthday parties for children and organise fun, crafty hen parties.
All sessions are run by a professional and qualified tutor with over 20 years experience working in the fashion and textile industry both in London and abroad.
For full details on workshops see website
The Sewing Club
Built to celebrate the twinning of Waltrop and Herne Bay, the Waltrop Gardens, are the perfect space to relax by the sea surrounded by flowers and the sea breeze.
Waltrop Gardens
Why Ecothunder?
I'm a title. Click here to edit me.
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me and you can start adding your own content and make changes to the font. Feel free to drag and drop me anywhere you like on your page. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.