Text from 1905 Guide Book
RAMSGATE, WITH ST. LAWRENCE-ON-SEA.
the residential part of this invigorating and pleasant resort on the
South-east Coast stands high above the sea on chalk cliffs (known as
the East and West Cliffs); in the hollow between lies the business
part of Ramsgate. The aspect is nearly south.
Ramsgate is served by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway
Co.'s two lines (distance 79 miles). The line from London via
Chatham lands one almost literally on the sands. By the junc-
tions with the Midland, Great Northern, and Great Western Bail-
ways the town is brought into direct communication with the
Midland, Northern, and Western Counties, and advantageous
terms are offered to tourists. During the summer the General
Steam Navigation Company's, New Palace Company's, and Belle
steamers run daily from London Bridge, and there are local steam-
boats between Ramsgate and Boulogne, and to Deal, Dover, and
Folkestone (return from Boulogne, 6s.). Electric tram-cars,
omnibuses, and drags run frequently between Ramsgate, Broad-
stairs, and Margate.
Many people have an idea that Ramsgate is somewhat of a rowdy
place and overrun with the genus " gent," the actual fact being that
for the greater part of the year it is absolutely free from objection-
able people, and in this respect, as in many others, will compare
very favourably with seaside towns that are commonly supposed to be
" quite the thing." The resident population is nearly 28,000. The
annual rate of mortality is 15-2 in the 1,000. According to the
report of Mr. Sidney Harvey, the public analyst, the water supply
is not only constant, but absolutely pure. The climate is decidedly
bracing, but the air is so extremely dry and buoyant that there is no
Ramsgate Harbour, West Cliff, and Lighthouse.
feeling of cold. The deep blue of the Thanet sky is really quite
marvellous, and is due, probably, to the exceeding clearness of the
air. The soil is pure chalk on the uplands, the foreshore being
bright yellow sand. Many seaside places are enjoyable enough at
high water, but at low tide leave much to be desired. It is a moot
point whether Ramsgate is to be preferred at high or at low water.
When the tide is up, the waves break against the stone edging of
the Marina. At low tide there is a glorious stretch of hard sand.
Ramsgate mud is, like snakes in Iceland (and Thanet), non-
existent. The drainage is excellent. The long stretch of gently
shelving sands affords the safest and most perfect bathing, and there
are bathing machines ad lib. At the Granville Hotel-greatly
affected by the "upper crust"-Turkish, sulphur, ozone, and
• sea-water baths may be had in perfection.
The most popular band-stand is on the Victoria Promenade, in front
of the Granville. During the season a band and a concert party
perform daily on the cliffs and in Ellington Park. The prome-
nades on the sea front are excellent, the Victoria Parade on
the East Cliff especially so. Here there is a concrete and asphalt
promenade 50 feet wide, with a treble row of lamps-the sea on one
aide with the shipping in the Downs in the distance, and on the
other masses of green and yellow euonymus and beds of sweet-
smelling, old-fashioned flowers. The Corporation has spent nearly
£100,000 in connecting the East and West Cliffs. That portion of
the work that joins on to the East Cliff has a most romantic
appearance. Great portions of the chalk cliff have been cut away
and each side of the new road lined with Pulhamite rock, the
interstices being planted with ferns and choice shrubs ; so that at
present this part of the road looks as if it had been stolen from
North Devon. At the back of the West Cliff' is the Park, containing
some fine timber, and having a fountain-lake, rockeries, etc. ; it is
kept up with great taste. Each of the two stone and granite piers
enclosing the harbour affords a delightful promenade, and there is
always something to be seen. At no time can a walk on these piers
be more enjoyed than on a windy day, as then numbers of fishing
smacks may be seen running into the harbour and plunging bowsprit
under, and at such a time-and, indeed, more or less at all times-
the air will be found to be laden with ozone. There is also the
"regulation" Promenade Pier, 600 feet long, with a small concert
hall at the end.
Places of amusement in Ramsgate include the Royal Victoria
Pavilion, erected by the Corporation in 1904 at a cost of £35,000,
St. George's Hall for concerts, Sanger's Amphitheatre, the Granville
Theatre, and the Marina Theatre of Varieties. From the
harbour pier-heads the panoramic effect at night during
the summer is remarkable, every window being lit up,
and the long row of lights along the West Cliff to
Victoria Parade and Gardens on the East Cliff, and down
the Marina Road to the sands and station, gives the town the
appearance of Naples when viewed from the bay at night. The
postal and telegraphic arrangements are very good. Places of
worship of almost every denomination are to be found, including a
Jewish synagogue and a Catholic church, as well as schools, a
Benedictine monastery, a fine nunnery, and at the Convent of
the Assumption, Pegwell, the daughters of the aristocracy of many
nations are educated.
The politeness of the tradesmen is noticeable, and the shops in the
main thoroughfares-High Street, Harbour Street, King Street and
Queen Street-are excellent. Should a visitor want to kill time on
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