The above photograph shows the broad shape of
the coastline from the famous Neptune public house (bottom right)
to Hampton on the outskirts of Herne Bay (top right). However, for
the moment, we focus on the slice of beach most closely associated
with the town centre - namely the stretch from the harbour to the
Neptune. The enlarged extract below features the
most westerly part of that strip and includes Whitstable Yacht Club
and Reeves Beach.
Proximity to the harbour meant that, in the
past, much of this
area was devoted to maritime industries - including a forge,
sail makers and chandlers. Now, of course, the buildings serve as
residential properties and modern features such as an art
gallery and holiday homes, The section below stretches from the
Horsebridge (top left) to the Neptune (bottom right)....
Apart from being
home to the famous Oyster Store, the Horsebridge was at, one time,
a busy landing point for sea-borne cargoes. The stretch of beach
also provided a working area for a string of boatyards.
Nowadays, it is primarily a tourist and residential
area.
All Photos Copyright of Peter
Dalrymple
|
