Things to Do

Click here for Trip Advisor’s list of the Top Things To Do In Ramsgate, or local events in Thanet and Kent.

Why come to this part of England’s heritage coast? Perhaps you are on business, perhaps you just want to get away for a couple of days, perhaps you are visiting friends, attending a wedding, looking for property, visiting childhood haunts, passing through on your way to Europe, visiting from Europe… whatever your reason here is a section where you will find places to eat, places to visit for a rainy day, museums, art galleries, great seaside walks, the whereabouts of our local industrial estates (well we can’t all have the day off!) and some of the great golf courses that we have down here. If there is anything that you feel merits a mention, let us know and we’ll be glad to promote it!

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

RAMSGATE MARITIME MUSEUM

Five galleries explore the Maritime Heritage of the Isle of Thanet and the East Kent Coast from ancient times to the present day.Subjects include the fishing and shipbuilding industries, navigation, the Royal Navy in two World Wars, lifeboats and shipwrecks, and a unique marine archaeological collection of objects raised from Stuart Warships lost on the notorious Goodwin Sands.

Address: Clock House, Pier Yard, Royal Harbour, Ramsgate, CT11 8LS,

Tel: 01843 570622

TURNER CONTEMPORARY

Turner Contemporary is a visual arts organisation, based in Margate that celebrates JMW Turner’s association with the town and promotes the understanding and enjoyment of historical and contemporary art.

Address: The Rendezvous, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HG,

Tel: 01843 233000

THE SPITFIRE & HURRICANE MUSEUM

I have always loved history, and none more so that learning about the heroic exploits of our young fighter pilots during the Battle of Britain in the hot summer of 1940. Here in this charming museum (about a 10 minute drive from the hotel)

you will find a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hurricane in wonderful condition together with an amazing assortment of associated aviation material…quite fascinating! There is a small cafeteria appropriately named ‘The Merlin’ beautifully positioned next door so that you can gaze out over this old RAF base whilst you enjoy a good value light lunch. It’s difficult not to look heavenwards in some silent tribute once you leave.

Free admission. Free car parking. Open throughout the year.

Address: Manston, Kent, CT12 5DF

Tel: 01843 821940

QUEX PARK MUSEUM

Quex Museum was established in 1896 by Major Percy Horace Gordon Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) to house natural history specimens and cultural objects collected on expeditions to Asia and Africa. Major Powell-Cotton was a pioneer in the use of the diorama to display mounted mammals in representations of their natural habitats. The Quex natural history dioramas are outstanding examples, unique to the UK, stunning for their size, quality and imagery.

Address: Quex Museum, House & Gardens, Quex Park Birchington, Kent CT7 0BH

Tel: 01843 842168

THEATRE ROYAL, MARGATE

The Theatre Royal Margate is a professional theatre that receives and produces 3 seasons of professional work each year, featuring drama, comedy, music, dance, exhibitions and talks.

We also run an extensive Community, Outreach and Education programme. Our aim at all times is to act as a cultural resource for the people of Thanet, East Kent and beyond, providing work of the highest quality, working with established companies as well as supporting emerging artists.

The building itself is the second oldest theatre in the country and it is our aim to make it as available as we can to the local community to serve as a cultural centre and forum.

SOCIETIES, CLUBS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS

THE RAMSGATE SOCIETY

A very worthy society…any organisation that aims to preserve and to enhance the local environment deserves all our support. It is a civic society and historical group that was formed back in 1964 and now boasts an annual membership of over 400. Subscription is £5 for EU members and £8 for those living outside the EU. Check out their website, there’s lots to look at!

Address: 16 Vale Square, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 9DF

Tel: 07597 629204

SEA SEARCHER BOAT TRIPS

Jump aboard the Sea Searcher to learn about the historic harbours interesting history whilst taking in the delights of the NewRamsgate Marina and Outer Pontoons. Cruise past the Ferry Terminal and the often hectic traffic in evidence and sight the Lighthouse and Tidal Ball.

Open weekends from March to end of September and daily during school holidays (Weather permitting)

Accessible to wheelchair users by arrangement (we do not always have ramp access due to harbour conditions)

Address: Ramsgate Royal Harbour, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 8LS,

Tel: 07837 562076

THE ROYAL TEMPLE YACHT CLUB

Only a 5 minute walk away from the hotel, The Royal Temple Yacht Club was founded in 1857 by a group of yachtsmen sailing from the Temple Steps on the River Thames. The Ramsgate Clubhouse was opened in 1896. The title Royal was confirmed in 1897 and the Admiralty Warrant issued to wear the undefaced Blue Ensign was issued in 1898.

Address: 6 Westcliff Mansions, Ramsgate, CT11 9HY

Tel: +44 1843 591766

THE BLUE FLAG ORGANISATION

The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to more than 2900 beaches and marinas in 24 countries across Europe and South Africa in 2004. It is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

Address: ENCAMS, Elizabeth House, The Pier, Wigan, WN3 4EX

Tel: +44 1942 612621

THE HORNBY VISITOR CENTRE

The Hornby Visitor Centre will take you on a fascinating journey through the history of Britain’s best loved toys.

Address: Hornby Hobbies LTD, Westwood Industrial Estate, Margate, Kent, CT9 4JX,

Tel: 01843 233524

WESTWOOD CROSS SHOPPING CENTRE

Opened June 2005, this is an excellent new shopping centre, only a 10 minute drive from the hotel. The perfect place to shop – Debenhams, Next, Boots, Body Shop, HMV, Marks & Spencer. After all the shopping, relax in one of the cafes

Address: 23 Margate Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2BF

Tel: 01843 867273

THANET COAST PROJECT

The Thanet Coast, together with Pegwell Bay, is an internationally important place for wintering birds and the marine life associated with the chalk cliffs, caves, reefs and sandy bays. It is also nationally important for the geology, the chalk stacks and arch, and some of the area’s coastal plants. It’s a great website which highlights many activities during the year. So come stay with us at The Royal Harbour Hotel and join in with Rock Doc walks to Marine Week.

Address: Thanet Coast Project Officer, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1XZ

Tel: +44 1843 577672

THE GRANGE

The Grange is available for holidays all year round. There are also a number of open days each year when the whole building is open. Parts of the building are available to view by appointment on a Wednesday afternoon. History sheets about the Grange are also available

The Grange is also open to the public throughout the year for guided tours between 2 and 4pm on Wednesday afternoons. These tours are proving very popular, so book well in advance. To arrange a visit contact the Landmark Trust on 01628 825925. There is no charge, although contributions are welcome.

On Wednesday afternoons visitors may also enjoy Pugin related reading material and a DVD of the restoration of The Grange in the Cartoon Room, where they can browse and learn more about one of Ramsgate’s most famous inhabitants

Address: St Augustine’s Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 9NY,

Tel: 01628 825925

GOLF

ROYAL ST GEORGE’S, SANDWICH

The host of the 2003 and 2011 Open Championships, the Royal St George’s Golf Club, only a 20 minute drive from the hotel was founded in 1887, and is one of the most famous and most difficult golf courses in the world, providing a true test of links golf.

Address: Royal St Georges Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9PB

Tel: +44 1304 613090

ST AUGUSTINE’S GOLF CLUB

St Augustine’s Golf Course, only a 5 minute drive from the hotel, was first laid in 1907 and opened by the famous Tom Vardon.

A friendly welcome awaits you after your round of golf in the friendly atmosphere of the club house bar and restaurant.

Although St Augustine’s is not a Champinonship Course the pleasure achieved by playing makes it a very popular venue for the club golfer.

It is appropriate as St Augustine was the first Archbishop of Canterbury and led the Christian mission to England from Rome. Interestingly, he is thought to have landed in close proximity to the runic cross, situated in the field to the left of the final tee. Also on the course there is a well of pure water, known as St Augustine’s Well, which is located between the 9th and 17th fairways.

Address: Cottington Road, Cliffsend, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 5JN,

Tel: 01843 590333

ROYAL HARBOUR HOTEL

Things to Do

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

SOCIETIES, CLUBS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS

GOLF