04 May 2019
Step out this May to celebrate National Walking Month and explore two new ways to discover Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate on foot. Come back for more in July when 'Ghosts on the Go' makes its first appearance on the Margate streets.
Uncover some of Ramsgate's gruesome history on a 'Rotten Ramsgate' guided walk, or spot the eye-catching new interpretation plaques around the isle to make your own digital discoveries, including Broadstairs' smuggling history and links to the Vikings.
Rotten Ramsgate Tours
Ramsgate boasts the only Royal Harbour in the country, with a stunning marina and a distinct cosmopolitan feel around the waterfront. It is THE place to enjoy a drink and sit outside, admiring the yachts or people-watching. But Ramsgate does have a few 'skeletons in its closet' which you will discover on a guided Rotten Ramsgate tour. Find out about the town's connections with Jack the Ripper and the Brides in the Bath murderer, plus a number of historical murders in the town. Your tour guide will delight in telling you about them - she's had a morbid fascination with true crimes since her teenage years.
Tours run on Fridays at 7pm and last approximately 75 minutes (allow 90 minutes). Tours cover historical murders in Ramsgate from 1859 to 1930 (East Cliff Tour) and 1651 to 1914 (West Cliff Tour), the tours alternate each week. Prices are adult £6, concession (60+) £5, child under 16 (recommended 11+) £3, family (2 adults and 2 children) £15.
Special tours with a twist run on the first Sunday of each month from 10am and last approximately 2.5 hours. These tours cover 10 murders in Ramsgate from 1651 to 1930. Prices are adult £10, concession (60+) £8, child under 16 (recommended 11+) £5, family (2 adults and 2 children) £25.
Book online for all tours at www.rottenramsgate.weebly.com
Digital Discoveries
Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are well-known coastal resorts, rich in history and heritage with many intriguing stories to tell, some more hidden than others. This year, with the help of ten new eye-catching, interpretation plaques these hidden stories come alive through video, audio and imagery, when entering a short code into a mobile device.
Discover which famous Broadstairs smuggler was introduced to Queen Victoria and the seafront shelter in which one of the most important poems of the 20th century was penned. Find out about the Viking invasion of 449CE and see the reenactment that took place 1500 years later to commemorate this.
Once you have discovered one plaque, walk on to the next and find out more - you could challenge yourself to visit all ten and benefit from the fresh air and exercise too.
www.visitthanet.co.uk/digitaldiscovery
Ghosts on the Go (from July)
Ghosts on the Go is a new outdoor escape game set in Margate. Players will get a special 'ghost' detector and a backpack, before they are sent on their way to find the various ghosts of Margate - to interrogate them and to capture the bad ghost.
The game is expected to take between two and four hours to complete, but unlike most indoor escape rooms there is no time limit. This means players can enjoy their time in Margate and not have to rush around.
The ideal group size is two to four people. The price is to be confirmed but it is anticipated it will be around £25 for the ghost detector and backpack, and only one of these is needed per game, so ideal for a small group or family fun.
Ghosts on the Go is a new venture from Margate escape rooms Ctrl Alt Esc
Further information on walking in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, including guided and self-guided walk opportunities, can be found at www.visitthanet/walking.
ENDS
General press enquiries:
Please contact Julie Edwards at Thanet Tourism - julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk or 01843 577671
Assistance can also be given with digital images, reader competitions and press trips - and bespoke packages can be arranged, including accommodation and sightseeing, for journalists with commissions.
