Ramsgate welcomes you back

Ramsgate is buzzing at the moment!  The beaches are being enjoyed in a safe way, restaurants and cafes are making the most of the wonderful weather and their outdoor space and people are heading to Ramsgate when they would normally be holidaying abroad!  If you are here in August, don’t forget that 100 of our restaurants and cafes have signed up for the Eat Out to Help Out campaign (Mondays to Wednesdays).

Usually, we would have plenty of events happening in town throughout the summer but even without those organised activities, there is still plenty of ways to get into that holiday vibe!  We have some of the best weather in the UK of course and glorious beaches plus the town is filled with fabulous venues to recharge and energise!  Head over to our maps and trails to help you explore what we have to offer.  We do have a few events coming up though including the wonderful, annual book sale at Ellington Park on Saturday 22nd August.  Historic England’s researcher, Geraint Franklin will be there signing his newly published book Ramsgate, The Town and its Seaside Heritage  and it’s a great opportunity to have a nose at the restoration project in the park that is now well underway.   On the same day, the fabulous Screaming Alley are hosting an online event from 7.30pm which will be their usual outrageousness without even leaving your home!  Just remember to dress up (tuxedo?) or dress down (bin bag?) and join in the fun!

As a community, many of us have spent the last few weeks making bunting for our town and harbour which has been an arduous task to say the least!  We are all doing it for the love of our town!  The fabulous Haberdashery Shop in King Street supplied the materials at cost and the staff have been extremely helpful with advice along the way.   Soon we hope to have the boats involved too and I’m really excited to see a sea of yellow, white and blue triangles adorning the marina!   I originally thought it would be a nice way to welcome people – visitors and residents who have been ‘shielding’ back  into town but it is also makes the town look very pretty and will be good practice for all the celebrations that we have planned to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the harbour receiving Royal Status.  You can keep an eye on the Royal Harbour celebrations at https://www.ramsgate2021.co.uk/

Another initiative to brighten up the town is Ramsgate in Bloom which has been a great success with lots of businesses and residents taking part, complementing the wonderful palm planters that are funded by Ramsgate Town council.  We have actually entered the town into the regional championships of South & South east in bloom and hope to hear how we got on next month…You can follow us on the facebook page to see how we do!

Like many places, here in Ramsgate, we have noticed a massive increase in cyclists which means more people are enjoying our fabulous scenery and fresh air.   If you do come for a visit or as a resident, please pop along to Harbour Bikes and hire one of their bicycles to explore the Isle.  They have also opened up an outdoor and seaside clothing store upstairs called Harbour Active, all based at 20 Military Road.

From 6th – 13th September, The Festival of Sound is scheduled to take place which has all been planned to accommodate social distancing of course.  There will be the popular Sonic Trails throughout the week and a few new additions including Busk at Dusk which will take place in and around Winterstoke Sun Shelter and the lower East cliff promenade.  Ramsgate Society is supporting the event with a series of talks and trails including a new guided tour that focuses on some of Ramsgate’s architecture and will end at Pugin’s the Grange and St Augustine’s (with copies of the new book by Geraint Franklin I mentioned earlier available for purchase!).  You can find out how to book limited places on any of Ramsgate Society’s events here.

I hope some or even better, all of the above appeals to you!  We truly have so many options here in Ramsgate!  You can recharge at one of our many independent bars, restaurants and cafes, explore the array of little indie shops or you can get active and take on the Viking Coastal Trail, learn to paddle board or kitesurf or hire a kayak and row to Broadstairs!  Check out our Active8 page for more inspiration!  Whatever you decide to do, do let me know on Visit Ramsgate’s facebook page where you can leave a review and a few tips for new visitors!

Have fun!

Rebekah Smith, Ramsgate Town Promoter

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