Out and About
Ramsgate and the surrounding areas have a wide array of places to go and things to do to keep you busy during your stay at Redcot. We've included just a few ideas on this page and when you arrive at Redcot, you'll find much more information about local activities.
The Tourist Information Office is just off York Street in Ramsgate town centre and is open from 9.15am to 12.15pm Thursday to Sunday. In the summer, the office opens during those hours everyday.
Maritime Museum - on Ramsgate harbour in a 10th Century Clock house.
Seal watching - take a boat trip from the harbour to watch the local seals. You can also cruise along the coast or take a trip to the Thames!
Granville Theatre- a cinema and host for local theatrical events. On the sea front road, about 5 minutes walk from Redcot.
The Grange - a Landmark Trust property, home to Augustus Pugin, Ramsgate's famous architect who was responsible for the Houses of Parliament. Museum open on Wednesday afternoons.
King George VI Park - 3 minutes walk from Redcot, famous for its wild green Parakeets and a recently restored Italianate Glass House.
Westcliff Leisure Park - south of the harbour, includes a boating pool, kids activities and a restaurant.
Further afield...
Manston Spitfire Museum - 10 minutes by car, fascinating musuem including a real life Spitfire.
Helicopter tours - from Manston, see the famous White Cliffs and the coast of Thanet from the air.
Broadstairs - just along the coast from Ramsgate, a charming Dickensian town with a sandy bay, some interesting shops and ice-cream parlours.
Margate - the UK's first seaside resort. Big beaches, amusements, seafront cafes and a famous Shello Grotto, a subterranean man made temple boasting 4.6 million shells! Also the Turner Contemporary in a revamped M&S store - visit www.turnercontemporary.org or call 01843 280621 to find out what's on.
Quex Park House, Gardens and Museum - a beautiful regency home and gardens home to the Powell-Cotton family and a fascinating collection of treasures. Also hosts outside concerts throughout the year.
Sandwich - quaint town with attractive quay.
Canterbury - amazing Cathedral, The Canterbury Tales experience, cobbled streets and some good shopping.
Dover - visit the castle, explore the WWII tunnels, walk along the White Cliffs or take a day trip to France.
Deal - another castle, walk along the pier, shop or dine in some fine restaurants
Whitstable - seaside town famous for Oysters.
Samphire Hoe- near Dover, a nature reserve below the White Ciffs created from earth excavated from the Tunnel.
Howletts Wild Animal Park - a great day out to see rhino, elephants, tigers, lions and lots of gorillas!
And if shopping is your thing...
Ramsgate town centre can satisfy your shopping needs, with High Street names including Boots, WHSmith, River Island, Peacocks, Superdrug, Wilkinson, Argos, Cafe Nero, Waitrose and many smaller specialist shops. There's also a twice weekly market.
Westwood Cross is a new development including retail parks, a new town centre and leisure facilities, about 3 miles from Ramsgate. Here you'll find names like Debenhams, Next, M&S, TK Maxx, Boots, River Island, H&M, JJB Sports, HMV, Waterstones, Body Shop and lots more. The surrounding retail parks will satisfy your craving for Sainsburys, Tesco, Currys, Comet, PC World, Laura Ashley, Dunelm, BHS Home, Brantano, Matalan, Argos, Homebase, Wickes, Halfords and more.
2010 Events
There are so many events in and around Ramsgate each month that we can't include them all below - so be sure to go to www.visitthanet.co.uk for all the information. Here are just a few of the main events coming up in 2010.
Margate Collectors Fair - 23rd January (repeated regularly)
JLS in concert - Winter Gardens, Margate, 01843 296111 - 29/30th January
Sleeping Beauty - Winter Gardens, Margate - 31st January
Footloose the Musical - Winter Gardens - 4-6th February
Are you being Served - Granville Theatre, Ramsgate, 01843 591750 - 9-13th February
Create a Jungle Expedition - Quex Park - 13/14th February
Lion King - Quex Park, 01843 842168 - 15-19th February and 20/21st February
Lady Ardleys Secret - Theatre Royal, Margate - 25-27th February
Big Sky Motorcross - Margate Beach - 6/7th March
Diversity, Winners of Britains Got Talent - Winter Gardens - 23rd March
Easter Beer Festival - Margate Winter Gardens - 2/3rd April
Margates Big Event - 19/20th June
Ramsgate Carnival - 25-27th June
Folk Week - Broadstairs - 6-13th August
Lark in the Park - Ramsgate - 11-22nd August
Ramsgate Week - 16-21st August (visit www.ramsgateweek.com)
Broadstairs Food Festival - 27th Sept - 3rd October
Motor Show - Margate - 3/4th October
Thanet International Film Festival - Westwood Vue - 25-28th October
More details of all events in and around Ramsgate can be found at www.visitthanet.co.uk