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Margate is a place where memories are as golden as the sand my parents used to buy a runner about ticket for the train and take the family for our fortnight holiday, we always went to dreamland  my favourite was the water tubs and the small train. The magical pleasures of childhood can be recaptured and relived time and time again. This is the place for buckets and spades, donkey rides, kiss-me-quick hats, candy floss and sandcastles.

It was the first resort to have donkey rides in 1790 and the first to introduce deck chairs in 1898. Since then generations of visitors have fallen under its spell.

Margate Harbour.
There has been a harbour here for over 700 years and because of the sailing hoys regularly plying their trade from London, Margate developed into the first seaside resort for Londoners by the 1730’s.

Margate Clock Tower.

Clock tower built 1887 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria and equipped with a clock by Potts of Leeds. 5 hemispherical bells were provided for it.

Laysdown Beach.

A traditional seaside resort, Leysdown is an ideal place for the family self-catering holiday.

The new dual carraigeway Sheppey Crossing opened to traffic on Monday 3rd July 2006. This completes the full upgrade to the A249 between the M2 and Sheerness. It replaces the 1959 Kingsferry Bridge, which was a bottleneck on and off the Isle of Sheppey, and freqently lifted to allow shipping to pass underneath. The old bridge is now relegated to unclassified status but remains open as an alternative to the new bridge, a local route, and also for the railway which crosses the Swale at that point.

Chartwell.

Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death in 1965. It was the spectacular view over The Weald and the South Downs that Churchill loved about the house,He bought the modest Victorian house in 1922 and made extensive additions and alterations.

The estate consisting of 80 acres gave Winston the peace and tranquility that he loved, and he relaxed by painting in the garden or in his studio and by transforming the grounds with new lakes, and robust brick walls built with his own hands.The Chart Well which rises on the western boundary of the site fed the existing lake and gave the estate its name.
 

A view of Chartwell House from the Studio lawn. Above the mauve shrubs is the roof patio that affords the splendid views over the Weald of Kent, so loved by Churchill.

Churchill was the greatest orator of his day, the greatest leader of the Second World War, the greatest statesman of his age, and the greatest Englishman of the twentieth century, perhaps of all time. The debt owed to Sir Winston Churchill by the free world remains immeasurable.
 

Winston and Clementine Churchill by Oscar Nemon presented by contributors of the Churchill statue fund to mark the 5oth anniversary of his becoming Prime Minister in 1940 and the 25th anniversary of his death unveiled by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, president of the National Trust on 13th November 1990.

Willesborough Windmill, Ashford.

This white smock mill was built in 1869 on a two storey red brick base with attached miller's cottage, restored by Ashford Borough Council in 1991 - winning a "Europa Nostra" award. It is being developed as the centrepiece of an Industrial Heritage Centre.

It is one of Kent's largest windmills: its sweeps have "patent" type shutters instead of canvas and sails, and produced enough power to turn four sets of mill stones as well as the maize and oats crushing/cutting machines. This mill replaced a smaller one of unknown age on the same site.

In 1872 a steam engine with a tall chimney was added to supplement wind-power. The steam engine and chimney were removed in 1911, and replaced by a gas-oil engine which was cheaper to run. In 1938 this in turn was replaced by an 25hp electric motor. Wind power was no longer used, and the mill suffered the common fate of producing mainly animal feed, grinding peas and beans, and crushing oats and maize. The mill closed completely in the 1950's and was used for storage and then as a home, now restored, the mill has a tea and gift shop, and grinding takes place when the wind is suitable. 

The Shipwright’s Arms, Hollowshore, Faversham.

While out taking photos around Faversham I came upon this lovely old pub, you need transport to get to it, the pub is well over 300 years old, although it is said that traces of an earlier building date back to the 13^th Century. Its beginnings may be shrouded by the mists of time, but we know the Shipwright’s was first licensed in 1738, although it would have functioned as an Inn well before that.

The pub still maintains a ‘listening watch’ on VHF radio for mariners who may be in distress and the current landlord keeps tradition by acting as a volunteer coastguard. 

Until recently the pub generated its own electricity, they still draw water from the well and use propane gas for cooking. The real ale is served by gravity straight from the cask. It has exposed beams, open fires and many original features. The welcome is warm and it's particularly picturesque in the summer with gardens right on the water, it's well worth a vist.

 Hollowshore, Faversham. This is the view from the beer garden. 

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