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Does Kent Island have a boardwalk?

Things to See and Do in the Kent Narrows Area – The island features an abundance of marinas and restaurants that attract visitors from nearby Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington DC. Separated from the mainland by Kent Narrows, Kent Island once served as a trading post for the first permanent English settlement in Maryland.

1. The island later developed into a major seafood packing and processing area.
2. Stevensville is the largest town on Kent Island and is home to several historic structures, including the restored Stevensville Train Depot and Christ Church, home to Maryland’s oldest congregation which was founded in 1631.

Visitor information is available from the county visitor’s center at 117 East Main Street. The area has lots of seafood restaurants and marinas. It also has lots of outlet stores, with the Queenstown Premium Outlets nearby. The Chesapeake Exploration Center is located on the Kent Narrows waterfront.

The Exploration Center houses the Queen Anne’s County Office of Tourism and features interpretive displays about the Chesapeake Bay. It’s also a good place to pick up pamphlets and brochures for area attractions. Matapeake Beach is located on Kent Island’s western shore. This small parks offers nice views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, a public swimming beach, a cafe, an outdoor amphitheater, woodland trails, picnic area, and a dog beach.

The Matapeake Pier and Boat Ramp and the Romancoke Pier and Kayak Ramp provide access for boating, paddling, and fishing. Matapeake pier is 650′ long, lighted, and open 24 hours a day. The surrounding three-acre park has restrooms and a picnic area with grills.

• There’s also a 25′ wide boat ramp at Matapeake.
• The Romancoke Pier is also open 24 hours a day and has a kayak launching facility.
• See details about facilities and directions to the piers,
• For those who enjoy lighthouses, the Bloody Point Bar Lighthouse can be seen from the southern point of Kent Island.

Terrapin Beach Nature Park is located just north of the Bay Bridge on Kent Island. The park includes a one mile nature trail, pond, two observation blinds, and a boardwalk to the Chesapeake Bay. The park is located off MD 18, inside the Chesapeake Bay Business Park. The Wildfowl Trust of North America operates the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (formerly known at the Horsehead Wetlands Center) just eat of Kent Island. The 500 acre sanctuary features paths around six waterfowl ponds and through different types of wetland habitats.

1. Ayak rentals are available May 1st – November 1st for a fee.
2. The Cross Island Trail spans Kent Island from Terrapin Nature Park to Kent Narrows.
3. The trail is about six miles long.
4. There are several places along the way where you can park and enter the trail including Terrapin Nature Park, Old Love Point Park, Castle Marina Road, Kent Narrows Boat Launching Ramp, and the Chesapeake Bay Exploration Center.

The Kent Island Farmer’s Market is a producer-only market that is held each Thursday, 3:30 – 6:30 year-round. Located a Christ Church, 830 Romancocke Road (Route 8), about one and half miles from Route 50.

Can you swim off Kent Island?

There are no lifeguards at this beach. The entrance sign says no swimming is allowed. However, a sign next to the beach says swimming is allowed ‘at your own risk.’ We called the county office for clarification and were told that the swimming beach is at Matapeake State Park.

Do people live on Kent Island?

The beach at Terrapin Nature Park on Kent Island is a hidden treasure in the shadow of the Bay Bridge For years, we thought of Kent Island as little more than a stretch of traffic-clogged, shopping-centered Route 50, a place to fly over on our way to the beaches of Maryland and Delaware.

• Boy, were we wrong.
• On a recent spring day, we found plenty to do on this little chunk of land at the eastern base of the Bay Bridge.
• The trick was to get off the main drag, slow down, and enjoy the beautiful natural setting.
• We rode our bikes on flat, perfectly paved paths that wound through woods and tidal marshes.

We listened to the gentle shush of waves on a quiet white-sand beach. We sipped beers and ate oysters and rockfish on the sprawling deck of Hemingway’s Restaurant, as the sun sank into the Chesapeake Bay. We almost hate to tell you about it, because then those bike paths and beaches and restaurants might get more crowded.

1. But here we go.
2. We’ll start with an amazing fact about Kent Island: It’s the third oldest still-existing English settlement in America, becoming a colony in 1631, after Jamestown, Va., and Plymouth, Ma.
3. Of course, the English weren’t the first to reside here.
4. The Matapeake tribe, members of the Algonquian nation, lived on the island for more than 12,000 years.

In the years before the Industrial Revolution, the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay was defined by tobacco and corn farms. Now, it’s basically suburbia, with residents able to commute to Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., thanks to construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in 1952 and a second span in 1973.

1. Ent Island, bounded to the west by the Bay Bridge and to the east by the Kent Narrows Bridge, is about 31.6 square miles, with a population of fewer than 20,000 residents.
2. Like much of Maryland, the island is a confusing mishmash of place names — part of Queen Anne’s County and home to the unincorporated communities of Stevensville and Chester.

Here’s how to spend a day on Kent Island:

Is matapeake beach free?

Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach 4.5 About Located on the Chesapeake Bay on Kent Island, Maryland, the grounds include a public swimming beach, an outdoor amphitheater, family picnic area and trails through the surrounding woods, with views of the Bay Bridge.

• The beach is open sun rise to sun set daily, Suggested duration 1-2 hours Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
• Aug 2020 • Solo Went there on 8/2/20 and there were TONS OF JELLYFISH! you couldn’t even safely get in the water.

There was also a security guy blocking the closest parking lot.but why? There was plenty of open spaces up there. Definitely probably won’t be going back. Water was monkey and smelled like the bay.not the ocean. Written August 2, 2020 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

1. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2. Dwy Shamokin Dam, PA 97 contributions Jun 2020 Came here on Saturday with friends and had a great time! the beach is clean, and everyone did a really good job of social distancing.
3. Written July 4, 2020 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. May 2019 • Couples I live on Isle of Kent, Eastern shore for 23 years. It has so much to offer but traffic in summer by tourists to Ocean City makes our island miserable because they do not stay on 50. One place of serenity is the beach at Matapeake Park.

Old mansion is gorgeous as well as the grounds surrounding it. Written June 12, 2019 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. t m1296 Ocean City, MD 63 contributions Aug 2018 • Family The beach was nice & quiet also not crowded on Saturday 8/25/18.

The beach was clean & so was the bathroom. Decent parking. Enjoyed ourselves & will be going back again. Written August 25, 2018 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Aug 2018 • Family Found this gem through TripAdvisor.
• A lovely place to swim in the Bay.
• Restrooms and clubhouse were closed but there were Dixies at the parking lot.
• Nice shower and fresh water fountain next to the beach.
• Picknick tables available but the two on the far left side (that provided shadow) were unusable due to foul smell from the bushes.

Water was clean, shallow and warm and no current thanks to the small harbor dam. Great afternoon! Written August 18, 2018 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Aug 2018 • Family This small beach is a hidden gem! It’s a beautiful spot for sun bathing and swimming.

There is a separate dog beach near it too. There is a building with bathrooms and a snack bar. Written August 8, 2018 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Jul 2017 • Couples Enjoyed a lovely beach day here, which offered a great view of the bridge! There’s a nice boat house which offers a rest room and a cafe.

Written June 30, 2018 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. May 2018 • Solo The dog beach is next to the public beach. Everyone was uber respectful and this is a stellar beach for all ages.

1. Come early as parking is limited.
2. Written May 13, 2018 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
3. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
4. Prawet J Washington DC, DC 13,366 contributions Feb 2018 • Solo The Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach is a small park and is part of Queen Ann’s County Park system.

The area is very small one next to a small fishing village at the end of the road in another southern part office and industrial development. It is also the start of the Kent Island South Trail. The park has a nice old historical building for community functions, a small piece of space for out door function and a narrow beach with a great view of the Bay Bridge.

• If you are in the area or plan to use the trail, stop by to visit.
• It may not be a good use of time if you just want to visit this place alone.
• I visited the place I made a plan to explore Kent Island for that day.
• Written February 19, 2018 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Sep 2017 • Family Venues, Events by Karon, were held at this clubhouse many times. Tents, and catering were provided and the beach area is open to the public (or used to be) before it got abused. Written October 11, 2017 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Frequently Asked Questions about Matapeake Clubhouse and Beach

Is there a bridge to Kent Island?

Additional Information – The William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bridge, The official Maryland Transportation Authority website. Live Chesapeake Bay Bridge Traffic Webcams, View the MdTA traffic cams for US 50 at Sandy Point (western shore side) and US 50 at MD 8 (eastern shore side).

Are there jellyfish in Kent?

InYourArea Community How to identify which will sting and which are safe Rare ‘crystal’ jellyfish at Walpole Bay tidal pole | Credit: Rebecca Douglas Photography Swimmers have noticed hundreds of jellyfish in the warm summer seas around the Kent coast over the past few days. With temperatures set to soar this weekend, many people will be heading for the coast and it is important to know which jellies can be harmful.

Growing up in Whitstable, the translucent creatures always seemed to appear when it was a particularly warm summer. It was quite normal to brush their slimy bodies while swimming or see them glistening near the high tide line. Most were the blobby Moon variety, however the whispered sighting of a Portuguese Man o’ War was enough to get us heading for the beach – but I’m not sure that anyone ever really saw one.

While some people are fascinated by jellyfish, others find them repellent and avoid swimming when they are out in force. Some sting and some don’t, so if you can tell them apart there’s no need to be afraid of them. Moon jellyfish (left) and two Lion’s Mane jellyfish | Credit: Rebecca Douglas Photography

Moon jellyfish are the most common type found in east Kent waters. They are transparent and up to 40cm across with four pink circles on the top. Thankfully they don’t sting.Barrel jellyfish can be up to one metre across with have eight ‘arms’ which hang below the bell. They have a very mild sting but most people don’t even feel it.Compass jellyfish have a distinctive brown radial pattern which resembles a compass, long tentacles and are about 30cm across. These ones sting and there have been numerous sightings in Tankerton this year.Lion’s Mane jellyfish have a reddish-brown umbrella-shaped bell, long tentacles, and can be anything up to up to two metres across. These ones sting and have been spotted in Thanet.Blue jellyfish are deep purple, have long tentacles and are about 30cm across. These ones sting and have been spotted in Thanet.

Blue jellyfish (left) and Compass jellyfish | Credit: Rebecca Douglas Photography Ramsgate -based photographer Rebecca Douglas has been capturing images of the unworldly creatures in the tidal pool at Walpole Bay, Cliftonville, This month, she has also encountered a dozen or more rare Crystal jellyfish that are normally found in the East Pacific. Rare Crystal jellyfish | Credit: Rebecca Douglas Photography Rebecca believes the increase in jellyfish around the Kent coast may be due to changes in our climate, as extreme weather and cold snaps in winter create ideal breeding conditions. The Marine Conservation Society are logging sightings so it is important to report any jellyfish that you come across here, While there is nothing more glorious than having a dip on a hot day, many swimmers have been getting stung, likening it to pins and needles or a stinging nettle sensation. Children playing around the high tide line can also get stung if they touch a beached jelly.

Why is Kent so famous?

Iconic Attractions in Kent Sophie Hewitt Kent is known as the Garden of England – famous for its food and drink production, and most recently wine. As much as we love gardens in Kent however, there’s much more to this county. From one of the world’s oldest religious buildings to royal homes and sensational views – we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic places to visit in Kent.

1. Trust us, you’ve not explored Kent until you’ve checked off every spot on this bucket list! Built almost one thousand years ago, Canterbury Cathedral is the most visited attraction in Kent and there’s good reason.
2. With a rich history, a visit to Canterbury and the local area is not complete without a visit to marvel over the lofty views, beautiful stained glass windows and substantial crypt.

You might even bump into the head of the Anglican church – The Archbishop Justin Welby! Sitting on its current site since 604AD, the is the second oldest in the UK with it’s current architecture, including the nave and facade added in 1080. Once you step inside, marvel at the recently refurbished Crypt, Vestry and Chapter Library or step outside to the gardens and discover the ruins of the monastery which was closed in 1540.

Challenging the Cathedrals for age, Hever Castle has an history almost as full as it is just shy of 800 years old old. Most famous for being the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, today the castle has plenty to explore, whether it be the maze, Italian Garden or simply taking in the beauty of the castle and its moat – and if you get sleepy on your way around, there’s even Tudor bedrooms to spend the night.

‘The loveliest castle in the world’ is a phrase used to describe Leeds Castle quite often – pay it a visit and you’ll soon see why! Sitting on an island in the middle of a lake, a castle has existed on the site since 1119 and has Royal connections including Edward I and Henry VIII.

• Most recently, the castle was owned by Lady Bailie who had a number of high-profile parties and decorated the interior to today’s spectacular standard.
• Be sure to get a punt around the water to see the best views! Although the two castles above have an aristocratic past, Dover Castle has more of a military history.

Standing as Kent and England’s first line of defence since the 11 th century, you can easily spend a full day here exploring and living life like King Henry II, with costumed characters and regular re-enactments. Although if you fancy your history a little more recent, there’s the Secret Wartime Tunnels which were military headquarters and underground hospital during WWII.

1. Moving away from castles and royalty, Chatham Dockyard was the most complete dockyard from the ‘age of sail’ in the world.
2. Once sitting at over 400 acres, the dockyard is today a little smaller, however it still houses three historic warships, a WWII destroyer and a submarine last used in 1990.
3. It is however not just about visiting naval ships, as there is a calendar of events throughout the year to keep everyone entertained including television set tours and art exhibitions.

One of the most well-known businesses across the South East is Shepherd Neame. Synonymous with your favourite local pub or pint, the drinks producer has been local to Faversham in Kent for over 300 years. Proudly independent and family run, Shepherd Neame hosts tours around their brewing facilities from smelling the hops to tasting the final product, it’s a day to really get into the Kentish spirit! Set up in 1957 by John Aspinall, Howletts has been a staple of Kent’s animal heritage since its opening to the public in 1975.

Nown for housing some of the rarest and most endangered species in the world, the park is an advocate for the breeding of the animals who are in most need of help. Visitors can expect to explore 100 acres of wooded parkland, to really feel close to nature and its magnificent species. Kent is not just all about history and beautiful landscapes – it has also got a reputation for being a good shopping destination too! If you need to get a bunch of Christmas shopping done in one hit there’s everything from high street brands to more upper end stores.

If you have a member of the family who just doesn’t find the appeal to shop then Bluewater is the spot for them too – featuring a cinema, waterside restaurants and even a trampoline park, it’s a day out for any kind of activity. It may well be the youngest attraction on this list, but the Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate is certainly not to be discounted.

Internationally renowned and a modern symbol of the town, the gallery has featured works by JMW Turner himself, through to modern day heavyweights such as Tracy Emin and Antony Gormley. In 2019, the Turner Contemporary hosted the Turner Prize – one of the most well known awards in the world of visual arts, and with new exhibitions opening regularly, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit.

It was the home of one of the world’s most iconic leaders, so it’s only right that Chartwell made our list. A much-loved family home, Chartwell is said to have truly inspired Sir Winston Churchill, who famously noted that a day away from it was a day wasted! Judge this for yourself as you discover a home packed with mementoes of the leader’s private life, from books and pictures, to a studio containing the largest collection of his paintings.

1. Tour the house, discover a real bomb crater in the rolling grounds and seek out the brand-new tree house for the perfect family day out.
2. A vintage amusement park dating back 100 years, this seaside sensation in Margate is a favourite across the generations.
3. It all began with the Scenic Railway, the oldest wooden roller coaster in the UK and the centrepiece of the park! Take a trip and you’ll see a lot’s changed in 100 years, with plenty more thrill and chill rides, live entertainment, art installations and a retro roller disco.

So strap on your skates, sip a pint in the Cinque Ports Pub and enjoy sea views from up high at this Kent icon. Kent’s very own safari, this one’s earned its place as one of our most wild locations in Kent. Grab a seat in a safari truck and tour 100 acres, alive with African animals, from zebras to giraffes, wandering freely across the park.

1. And when you’re done exploring, it’s time to check in on your very own safari escape.
2. Get up close (and we mean really close) with rooms set in lion and tiger enclosure, sleep up high in your own tree house or bunk down in a cosy shepherd’s hut for the ultimate adventure.
3. One of the best-known vineyards in the country, the Chapel Down winery rests at the edge of the Kent countryside in the town of Tenterden.

As a supplier to Downing Street, it’s safe to say their wines have long been a favourite, so a tour of the rolling vineyard, winery and elegant tasting room is an absolute must for wine lovers. Golfers will have almost certainly have heard of this sensational links course because it played host to the 149 th Open, but did you know it can be found right here in Sandwich, Kent? Walk in the footsteps of the champions and play the course where the Claret Jug has been lifted 14 times.

What is Kent famous for?

Page 6 – Kent, famous for the dramatic white cliffs of Dover, stunning English landscape, bustling seaside resorts, award-winning heritage coastline, historic castles and towering cathedrals. Long known as ‘The Garden of England’, the county of Kent is home to lush green countryside scattered with glorious gardens and vineyards producing tasty English wine.

• A walkers and cyclist’s paradise, with a wealth of national trails and cycle routes that criss cross their way through the Kent countryside.
• Rich in history and heritage, it is full of stories from a time, long since passed, home to world renowned Canterbury Cathedral and the best preserved medieval village in England, Sandwich.

With a host of royal connections, film and TV links, entertaining indoor and outdoor attractions, there’s no shortage of things to do in Kent.

Are there Ubers on Kent Island?

If you’re going to be on Kent island rent a car – Uber, Lyft, local taxi are all non-existent.’

Do you have to pay for nickel beach?

Frequently Asked Questions – Q. Who can access Nickel Beach?

Both Port Colborne residents and non-residents will be able to access Nickel Beach this summer

Q. Is their walk-on or bicycle access allowed at Nickel Beach?

Walk-on access at Nickel Beach is restricted to Port Colborne residents and any of their guests. Only one member of each group will be required to have a PORTicipate Pass for any walk-on or bicycle access.

Q. Are there non-beachfront parking options available at Nickel Beach?

Non-beachfront parking options are only available within the limited parking area on site and are only available to residents, or those who hold a day pass and choose not to park on the sand. Staff will direct where to park upon arrival. Large groups arriving by bus must coordinate with the City of Port Colborne ahead of time for permission and will be assessed a fee based on group size. All parking along Lake Road is prohibited.

Q. How many beachfront parking spots are available at Nickel Beach?

There are 200 spaces available to non-Port Colborne residents Non-Port Colborne residents will need to purchase their beachfront parking pass prior to visiting the beach. The limited (200) daily passes will be available on a first come first serve basis. Pass sales can be found here,

Q. Will Port Colborne residents need a beach pass to access Nickel Beach?

Yes. Port Colborne residents will need a PORTicipate Pass to access Nickel Beach. However, beach passes will be free for Port Colborne residents. More information on how to register and pick up a PORTicipate Pass is available on the City’s website,

Q. Will Port Colborne residents also need to register in advance to visit Nickel Beach?

No. Advance registration is only for the limited 200 spaces allocated to non-Port Colborne residents. All other space is reserved for Port Colborne residents to access the beach anytime they want.

Q. Why are you requiring non- Port Colborne residents to register in advance?

There is only so much space to safely park vehicles on the beach property. By purchasing a day pass in advance, you are guaranteed access on the day you have purchased a pass for, and there is no need to try to arrive in the early A.M. prior to opening in order to secure a spot for the day.

Q. Does my PORTicipate Pass or Beachfront parking pass grant me access to SplashTown Niagara waterpark?

No. The SplashTown Niagara inflatable waterpark at Nickel Beach operates independently of the City of Port Colborne. SplashTown Niagara is opening Saturday, June 18, 2022. Beachfront Parking Daily Passes are still required in addition to your SplashTown Niagara Splash Pass to access the water park. Only having a SplashTown Niagara Splash Pass does not grant access to Beachfront Parking. Port Colborne residents with a PORTicipate Pass are required to purchase a SplashTown Niagara Splash Pass to access the water park.

Q. When does the 2022 beach season open?

The 2022 beach season will begin Victoria Day long weekend in May and stay open until Labour Day weekend

Q. When does Nickel beach open and close during the summer?

Beachfront parking is available 7 days a week

Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Statutory holidays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Beachfront parking is available, weather permitting; if beachfront parking is unavailable due to inclement weather, we will communicate this via our social media channels and refunds will automatically be processed within 5 business days.

Q. How much does it cost to access Nickel Beach?

Beachfront parking is free for Port Colborne residents Niagara residents: $20 weekdays, $25 weekends (including Fridays) and Statutory holidays Non-Niagara residents: $50 weekdays, $55 weekends (including Fridays) and Statutory holidays

Q. How will you ensure the safety of residents and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The City of Port Colborne is committed to the health and safety of residents, staff, and visitors Staff will be promoting social distancing through added signage and verbal communication

City staff will continue to monitor both provincial and regional COVID-19 trends and if necessary, changes to the operational plan may be proposed Staff will be providing Council with a beach operation report the second meeting of every month. At this time, staff will present any concerns and Council will make decisions accordingly. If more frequent reporting is needed Staff will be prepared to provide it

Q. Will washroom facilities be available?

Yes, washroom facilities will continue to be made available at both beaches. While a permanent facility is available at Centennial-Cedar Bay Beach, only portable washrooms are available at Nickel Beach.

Is sunrise beach free?

Website | Map – Sunrise Beach offers two guarded swimming beaches, play equipment, two shelters with fireplaces, charcoal grills, restroom facilities, complimentary games, complimentary beach chairs and Kayak rental. Use of the beach is free to Park District Residents with pass.

Is WaterColor beach public?

WaterColor Beach Club (WCBC) – The newly expanded WaterColor Beach Club boasts a new main pool with seating and lounge areas, a second pool deck with lounge seating and a third pool with zero-entry – all with unobstructed views of the Gulf. Guests also have the chance to indulge in an array of brand-new resort dining venues, including Costa Chica and the newly renovated WaterColor Grill, which also serves the first- and second-level pool decks.

Does Kent have a pier?

Kent’s harbour piers Kent’s sturdy harbour piers have provided havens for shipping while its pleasure piers have offered entertainment for leisured visitors over the years Pier enthusiasts say that there are two distinctions of pier: pleasure piers, which are built for entertainment and leisure, and harbour piers, which are built as sea defences to protect shipping and provide places to load and unload cargo.

Both tend to have landing stages for boats. For a county with such a long and diverse coastline (a complete end-to-end walk takes you across a whopping 286 km or 178 miles), Kent isn’t over-blessed with piers. According to the National Piers Society, the only complete pleasure pier remaining in Kent is at Deal.

Pier of the Year in 2008, Deal Pier is relatively modern, having been opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957. Forget cast iron, the third pier on the site is a relatively simple structure made mostly of reinforced concrete. Joyrides and candyfloss are absent, but anglers and mariners are both welcome, co-existing easily by the simple means of two-tone handrails.

• Where the handrails are green, anglers may fish; where they are yellow, boats may pass beneath the pier without being in danger of fouling from lines.
• Two modest but touching memorials are the benches at the entrance to the pier.
• Both carry plaques, one commemorating Leslie Alec Hood, a carpenter involved with Deal pier’s construction, and the other to Chris Carden who took part in the pier’s 2003-4 restoration.

Kent does have another remaining pleasure pier, but it is not complete. At 3,787 feet, Herne Bay once had the second longest pleasure pier in the country – only the world-record holder at Southend-on-Sea exceeded it in length. Herne Bay pier was closed in 1968 as it was considered unsafe.

1. Ten years later it was badly damaged in a storm which severed the pier, sweeping most of the neck away.
2. The site of the old pavilion, now a leisure complex, remains at the landward end, while the pier head is isolated and rather forlorn in deep water.
3. Fundraising to restore it continues, but with a target of 12 million, there’s a long way to go.

The 1978 storm was also responsible for destroying Margate’s pleasure pier, called, rather confusingly, the Jetty, after an earlier pier on the site built in 1824 by Mr Jarvis and called Jarvis’s Jetty. The harbour pier, now usually called the Harbour Arm, predates both and was completed in 1815; its entrance was modified in 1853 to accommodate the entrance to the new Jetty.

Exactly 100 years later, in 1953, the pier – unusually for a harbour pier – was badly damaged by storms. Wave action undermined the pier head to such an extent that the lighthouse was seen to be leaning and very soon collapsed. The end of the pier and its lighthouse was rebuilt in 1954 and sea defences added between 1954 and 1959.1954 was significant for piers in Folkestone, too, as that was the year the town lost its pleasure pier when the Victoria Pier was demolished.

The Harbour Pier, rebuilt in 1904, and East Pier still remain, however. Folkestone harbour is famous for having a railway viaduct built across it to take boat trains onto the Harbour Pier. At one in 30, the harbour branch line is one of the most steeply graded railway lines in the country and a weight restriction on the Foord viaduct meant that only certain locomotives can be used.

As a result, the heavy express trains were pushed and pulled the first mile up the cliff by three or four small engines working together, rather like small tugs bustling round an enormous liner. The branch line is rarely used nowadays and Network Rail is considering closing it. The last official train ran on 12 April 2008, but the line is a favourite with railway enthusiasts and is still occasionally used by charter services.

A steam-hauled train ran into Harbour Pier station as recently as 14 March this year. Dover’s Admiralty Pier and the Prince of Wales Pier also carried boat trains which connected with continental ferries. The town’s massive outer harbour, circled by breakwaters and bordered at its western end by the Admiralty Pier, originated in a recommendation of 1845 to construct a harbour of refuge capable of handling up to twenty large naval vessels.

• Dover’s first pier was built in 1494 to provide protection against the prevalent south-westerly gales and prevent drifting shingle from blocking the harbour.
• The pier was successful, but not permanently so, as shingle continued to pile up against it and creep round the end.
• It was 250 years before the Admiralty Pier largely defeated the creeping shingle by reaching out into deep water.

The pier’s foundation stone was laid on 2 April 1848 and by 1854, was 800 feet long. Extended several times, its total length is 4,140 feet today, although it appears shorter as the Western Docks are built on land reclaimed from the sea. Broadstairs’ first pier, although not quite so old as that at Dover, also dates back to Tudor times.

It was built in 1538 by George Culmer to aid and protect his shipyard in Harbour Street and stood roughly where the Pavilion on the Sands now stands. Broadstairs’ current pier was built by voluntary subscription in 1772 and the white clapperboard Pier Boat House leaning rather drunkenly at the landward end of the pier is probably around the same age.

The brightly coloured carvings which decorate the building come from wrecked ships: the highlander figurehead is from the Highland Chief wrecked on the Goodwin sands on 12 February 1869, and the bearded head, plus lion skin – Sampson?, Hercules? – from a Spanish vessel which came ashore on 16 January 1844.

• Ramsgate is known to have had a pier at the time of Henry VIII, but gained its impressive harbour by an Act of Parliament in 1749.
• Ramsgate is an important ferry port and so, like Dover has a number of piers and breakwaters.
• Thomas Fisher in The Kentish Traveller’s Companion of 1779, says: ‘The new harbour, which cannot fail to attract the notice of all strangers, being the finest and most capacious in England, or perhaps in Europe, was begun in the year 1750; but on account of many interruptions, it is not yet quite finished.

It consists of two piers; the eastern one is built entirely of white Purbec stone.The western pier is constructed of wood, as far as low-water mark, but the remainder of stone.’ Fisher’s comment that the harbour is not quite finished may refer to the extensive harbour works designed by John Smeaton who was harbour engineer from 1778 until his death in 1792.

1. Famed as the designer of the Eddystone Lighthouse, Smeaton was one of the first people to call himself a civil engineer – ‘civil’ as in ‘civilian’.
2. Up until then, most large engineering projects were overseen by the military.
3. Smeaton’s most important innovation at Ramsgate was probably the Advanced Pier, a southwesterly extension to the original East Pier designed to reduce wave action inside the harbour.

It was so successful that, during the great storm of March 1818, none of the large number of ships sheltering in Ramsgate harbour suffered notable damage. With its shallow beaches, shifting gravel and offshore sandbanks, the Kentish coast has often been hazardous for mariners.

Sturdy harbour piers have provided havens for shipping while pleasure piers have offered entertainment for leisured visitors. Both have created trade and prosperity for Kent’s coastal towns. DID YOU KNOW? Deal has the only pier in Britain built since the Second World War Deal pier boasts a three-deck landing stage at its pier head.

Unfortunately, the lowest deck is permanently underwater (a miscalculation? Global warming? Or for submarines?). The middle deck is closed at the moment due to storm damage Folkestone harbour pier was built in 1863 and extended in 1885 by the South Eastern Railway who wanted their own ferry port to rival Dover Dover’s first pier was built by a priest, Sir John Clark, and was such a boon to ships that the sheltered haven it created was called, appropriately, Paradise The bend in Dover’s Admiralty Pier marks where it terminated in 1875.

• From 1886 the pier turret housed two steam-driven naval guns weighing 81 tons each.
• The turret is now sealed but the guns are still there The wooden repairs to Broadstairs’ pier are allegedly salvaged from a French marina which is supposed to have floated across the channel in February 1969 to land in Joss Bay just north of the North Foreland Lighthouse Margate’s lifeboat station was situated on the Jetty until the storm which destroyed the Jetty marooned the lifeboat station in deep water, inaccessible to its crew The shell lady sculpture on Margate’s Harbour Arm was sculpted by Ann Carrington and represents Mrs Booth, Turner’s mistress Until about 1966 Ramsgate West Pier had a Camera Obscura So pleased with his welcome at Ramsgate Port was George IV that he granted the harbour the right to use the title ‘Royal’.

It is the only Royal Harbour in the country : Kent’s harbour piers

Does Kent have a seaside?

The Kent coast is a 350-mile stretch of chalky white cliffs, sandy beaches, shingle bays, vibrant coastal towns and, above all, glorious views stretching out across the Channel. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a family looking for a day of ice creams and sandy beaches.

How long is the Cross Island trail on Kent Island?

Description: This tree-lined linear park offers a safe avenue for non-vehicular transportation. The trail is 6.5 miles long, spanning east to west from Terrapin Park to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center at Kent Narrows, with future plans for expansion.

• The trail wanders through farmlands, meadows and woods accented with ornamental trees.
• Flanked by park benches, the trail crosses several creeks with wooden bridges, offering a spectacular view of waterfowl and wetlands.
• Portable toilets are available year round.
• Directions: Accessible at various locations along the trail.

From east to west off street parking is available at the Terrapin Nature Park, Old Love Point Park, Castle Marina Road, the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center and the public lots beneath the Kent Narrows US 50/301 Bridge. These lots are open daily from Sunrise to Sunset.

1. Pets: Allowed on leash (doggie bags provided) Fees: None On April 26, 2022, Queen Anne’s County Commissioners and the Department of Parks and Recreation celebrated the opening of our newest park amenity, the Cross Island Trailhead at Macuum Creek.
2. This newest park amenity features restrooms, a parking area and new landscaping.

The location is 1701 Piney Creek Road in Chester.

How many miles long is Kent Island?

Kent Island

Marshland on Kent Island
Location within Maryland
Geography
Location	Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Coordinates	38°56′55″N 76°18′54″W  /  38.94861°N 76.31500°W Coordinates : 38°56′55″N 76°18′54″W  /  38.94861°N 76.31500°W
Area	31.62 sq mi (81.9 km 2 )
Administration
United States

Kent Island is the largest island in the Chesapeake Bay and a historic place in Maryland, To the east, a narrow channel known as the Kent Narrows barely separates the island from the Delmarva Peninsula, and on the other side, the island is separated from Sandy Point, an area near Annapolis, by roughly four miles (6.4 km) of water.

• At only four miles wide, the main waterway of the bay is at its narrowest at this point and is spanned here by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge,
• The Chester River runs to the north of the island and empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Kent Island’s Love Point,
• To the south of the island lies Eastern Bay,
• The United States Census Bureau reports that the island has 31.62 square miles (81.90 km 2 ) of land area.

Kent Island is part of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, and Maryland’s Eastern Shore region, The first English establishment on the island, Kent Fort, was founded in 1631, making Kent Island the oldest English settlement within the present day state of Maryland and the third oldest permanent English settlement in what became the United States —after Jamestown, Virginia (1607), and Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620).