24 Feb 2015
Exciting things are happening in the coastal resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Below is a snapshot of key new things for 2015.
Opening 2015 - Dreamland Pleasure Park, Margate
Dreamland will once more become a major UK visitor attraction and will truly re-invent the classic seaside experience. HemingwayDesign led by Wayne Hemingway MBE, Gerardine Hemingway MBE and Jack Hemingway have been appointed to deliver the look, feel, smell, taste and sound of the new Dreamland visitor experience.
The new Dreamland will be a totally unique vintage-themed leisure complex, artistically curated with something for everyone. The 16-acre site will include many all-weather attractions, amusements and quality dining experiences.
The pleasure park will boast the fully re-built Grade II* listed Scenic Railway, the UK's oldest roller coaster, as well as a unique collection of rides from 1910 to the present day, classic side shows and fairground games. The event spaces are capable of hosting year round small and large-scale events, national festivals and visiting attractions and will celebrate the history of popular British culture.
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Turner Contemporary, Margate's stunning cultural landmark, opened in April 2011. Designed by multi award-winning architect David Chipperfield, the gallery is a stunning addition to the seafront and overlooks the same views that Britain's best-loved painter JMW Turner enjoyed as a frequent visitor to the town. Original works by Turner are always on display at the gallery, from a single work or sketchbooks to major shows, alongside a rich rolling programme of exhibitions featuring work by leading international contemporary artists. Admission is free. Special group packages available.
The 2015 exhibition programme includes:
Self: Image and identity – self-portraiture from Van Dyck to Louise Bourgeois - 24 January to 10 May 2015
Grayson Perry – 23 May to 13 September 2015
Risk – 7 October to 17 January 2016
Carlos Amorales – 14 March to 6 September 2016
New itinerary - Frontline Thanet
Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are the furthest south-east you can go in Britain, almost touching mainland Europe – so have many wartime related tales to tell. Check out our WWI and WWII itinerary suggestions, including the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, 'Little Ship' Sundowner, War Graves tours, Ramsgate Blitz Experience guided walks, two exhibitions showing life at Quex House when it was converted to a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) hospital, and the recently opened Ramsgate Tunnel Experience, which shows what life was like underground for the people who set up home there during the darkest days of WWII. The tunnels were capable of sheltering up to 60,000 people.
2015 marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, when hundreds of 'little ships' set sail from Ramsgate and Margate to rescue troops from the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940. Visit between 20 and 25 May to join in the commemoration taking place.
www.visitthanet.co.uk/frontlinethanet
Just opened - Albion House, Ramsgate
Ramsgate welcomes the restoration of its most revered and historically important building, Albion House, which was built in 1790. It is situated overlooking the only Royal Harbour in the country, so designated by George IV after his departure from Ramsgate to Hanover in 1821. The building has a rich and colourful history, being one of several residences used by the duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria (c.1830).
The refurbishment sees the building being transformed in to a hotel with 14 bedrooms, 12 of which have direct sea views and all are furnished with exquisite, antique furniture. With rooms ranging from standard doubles, through to the opulent 300 square feet, first floor suite with wrap-around balcony, the hotel will be a retreat, a meeting place and a place to go to be cherished. It gets the first of the sun and the last of the sun due to its pivotal position.
New Active Ramsgate itinerary
Ramsgate is becoming increasingly popular as a great place for an active break, so a new itinerary has been developed to help inspire active visitors.
Cycle the Viking Coastal Trail, take to the water on a seal trip or visit to a wind farm, enjoy one of three Active Ramsgate walks along the coast or around the town and picturesque Royal Harbour, or go geocaching and see what treasures you uncover.
The itinerary has ideas for three days-worth of fun and includes accommodation, eating out and wet weather suggestions.
St. Augustine's Church Visitor Centre, Ramsgate
A new Visitor Centre planned for St. Augustine's Church in Ramsgate is due to open in 2016. This will house The Pugin and St Augustine's education, research and visitor centre.
The project aims to increase knowledge and accessibility for people of all ages around two themes: the Victorian architect, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin and St. Augustine of England, founder of the Christian church in Southern England.
The centre will provide facilities for visitors, schools and the local community to learn about Pugin and St. Augustine with teaching, displays and physical access through the principal areas of this seminal building.
Operation Dynamo
Operation Dynamo, the name given to the evacuation of troops from the beaches of Dunkirk on the north coast of France, who were cornered by the advancing German army. When the evacuation was announced to the British public on 29 May, many privately owned boats started arriving at Dunkirk to ferry the troops to safety. This flotilla of small vessels famously became known as the 'Little Ships'.
Despite heavy losses the valiant 'Little Ships' assisted in the rescue of 309,739 troops around 40,000 of whom were landed at Ramsgate. Today one of the 'Little Ships' used 'Sundowner' is kept in Ramsgate harbour.
Visit between 20 and 25 May to join in the commemoration taking place in Ramsgate and Margate including tea dances, Big Band Concerts, performances and visiting 'Little Ships'www.visitthanet.co.uk/discover-intro/frontline-thanet/operation-dynamo
Mr Turner Itinerary
Discover Mr Turner's Margate in a new itinerary inspired by Mike Leigh's film and the artist's love of the town
From a visit to see works by the artist at Turner Contemporary, the site where JMW Turner frequently stayed at Mrs Booth's residence, to enjoying Margate's breath-taking sunsets, an inspiration for Turner and what he quoted as “the loveliest skies in all Europe”. www.visitthanet.co.uk/mrturner
200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo – The New Waterloo Despatch
The New Waterloo Despatch is a ceremonial recreation of the news of Waterloo, it comprises an attractively designed despatch which will be presented to HM the Queen, the Heads of State of Europe and other VIPs and dignitaries during a ceremonial re-enactment of the historic journey of the news from Waterloo to London.
On the morning of Saturday 20 June, with HMS Iron Duke standing off Broadstairs and following a fired salute, the cutter HMS Victory will row towards Viking Bay (known as Main Bay in 1815) with Major Percy and Captain White RN on board with the New Waterloo Despatch and French Standards. They will disembark and make their way across the beach to the jetty, where a welcome party will be waiting.
The welcome party will consist of The Lord Lieutenant for Kent (Lord de L'Isle), Admiral The Lord Boyce (Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, First Sea Lord), senior personnel representing the Armed Forces, local dignitaries including the Town Mayor, together with costumed re-enactors.
Following welcome speeches, the Town Mayor will formally receive a copy of the New Waterloo Despatch.
www.waterloo200.org/the-new-waterloo-despatch
Airfix D-Day Experience Exhibition, Hornby Visitor Centre, Margate
The Hornby Visitor Centre, based at the global headquarters of Hornby in Margate, features treasures from the Company's archives dating back as far as the 1920s.
Marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1944, a three dimensional miniature scene complete with models of vehicles, aircraft and soldiers who fought on the beaches in France will be on display until February 2016.
The Operation Neptune exhibition features a huge interactive diorama and displays setting out some of the key stories from the ʻDay of Daysʼ. The new exhibition is included in the admission cost to the Hornby Visitor Centre, which is Adults £5, Child (Ages 5-15) and OAP £2.50, Family £12.50 (2 Adults and up to 4 children). Groups over 8 receive 30% off the normal admission price.
www.hornby.com/hornby-visitor-centre
For further information on any of the above please contact julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk or 01843 577671, or see me at International Media Marketplace on 2nd March, I have a stand with Dreamland.
