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I doubt that many local inhabitants will have trouble identifying the key features of this photo. However, for the benefit of visitors, a few labels have been added to the Tankerton extract below.... 

One of the great things about aerial shots is that highlight development so much more dramatically than maps. If you look at the top of the picture, you will see just how little open space now exists between the Swalecliffe area of Whitstable and our neighbouring town of Herne Bay.

The shot below is taken looking south across Tankerton and it shows the large sweep of woodland that exists south of both Whitstable and Herne Bay. 

It also demonstrates some of the man-made boundaries that have acted as barriers to development over the years... and how these have been gradually set aside....

The yellow line maps the route of the main London-to-Thanet railway line. This was established in the second half of the nineteenth century - some decades before Tankerton expanded from a handful of properties into the substantial development that we know today. That expansion came in the 1920s/1930s and, unlike central Whitstable, it was largely planned - hence the grid iron pattern of the roads. However, the railway line and lack of bridges helped to contain southward development. Thus, Tankerton developed in a relatively narrow strip running parallel to the coast.

That boundary was reinforced in the 1930s with the construction of the main London-to Thanet road which followed a similar route for some of its length. This thoroughfare is shown by the red line and it was known as The Coastal Road. Later, it was  renamed Thanet Way and, more recently Old Thanet Way. 

As you can see, very little open space now exists north of the red boundary. For a long time, the Coastal Road contained further southward development and house prices generally dropped when Estate Agents crossed its carriageway. However, the age of the motor car was on its way and that opened up new possibilities.

The white line shows a possible new boundary - the recently constructed New Thanet Way. Already, infill is fragmenting the countryside between the white and red lines.... despitet all the talk of preserving the green belt! Beyond that lies our beloved woodland.

Within Tankerton itself life goes on and its interesting to note the timing of Peter's photo trip as it coincides with Whitstable Regatta. The shot below shows the Marine Hotel on the left with the Reatta 'fairground' being set up on The Slopes. Tankerton Circus is shown on the right.... 

The fair extended eastward to The Marine public house....

The enlarged extract below shows the high point of Tankerton Slopes.. at the flagstaff....