cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the oldest Christian structures in England.
11 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Herne Bay
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Herne Bay
Herne Bay is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Tankerton, 31km from White Cliffs of Dover.
Herne Bay is in England, United Kingdom, with about 25,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Tankerton, about 6 km away.
Herne Bay ( ) is a seaside town on the north coast of Kent in South East England. It is 6 miles (10 km) north of Canterbury and 4 miles (6 km) east of Whitstable. It neighbours the ancient villages of Herne and Reculver and is part of the City of Canterbury local government district, although it remains a separateRead more
town with countryside between it and Canterbury. Herne Bay's seafront is home to the world's first freestanding purpose-built Clock Tower, built in 1837. From the late Victorian period until 1978, the town had the second-longest pier in the United Kingdom.
The town began as a small shipping community, receiving goods and passengers from London en route to Canterbury and Dover. The town rose to prominence as a seaside resort during the early 19th century after the building of a pleasure pier and promenade by a group of London investors, and reached its heyday in the late Victorian era. Its popularity as a holiday destination has declined over the past decades, due to the increase in foreign travel and to a lesser degree exposure to flooding that has prevented the town's redevelopment. In 2011 the town had a population of 38,563.
Where to Stay in Herne Bay
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Herne Bay?
Within an hour or so of Herne Bay: Canterbury Cathedral (11 km), Dover Castle (30 km), White Cliffs of Dover (31 km), Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel) (31 km).
Are there any good drives near Herne Bay?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Koninklijke Baan Coast Road and Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Where is Herne Bay?
Herne Bay is in England, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Tankerton.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 24,875
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.3730, 1.1286
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Herne Bay
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
Dover Castle
A medieval fortress overlooking the English Channel, known as the Key to England due to its strategic defensive significance.
30 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
White Cliffs of Dover
Iconic chalk cliffs reaching up to 110 meters high along the English Channel, symbolizing Britain for centuries.
31 km · about 35 min drive
tunnel
Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)
50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
31 km · about 35 min drive
castle
Leeds Castle
A castle on islands in a lake formed by the River Len in Kent, often called the loveliest castle in the world.
37 km · about 45 min drive
cafe
Johnsons Cafe
A well-known biker cafe on the A127 in Essex, serving as a gathering point for London and Essex riders for generations.
48 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Rye
A hilltop town of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses, once a Cinque Port and now stranded two miles inland.
54 km · about 65 min drive
photogenic
Mermaid Street, Rye
Cobbled hill of half-timbered houses in the ancient Cinque Port of Rye, crowned by the 15th-century Mermaid Inn with its smuggling-era cellars. Houses carry names like 'The House with Two Front Doors'.
55 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Herne Bay
- 31 kmChannel Tunnel (Eurotunnel)50 km tunnel under the English Channel - drive your car on the train
- 64 kmCap Blanc-NezDazzling white chalk cliffs on the Opal Coast with views across the Channel to England on clear days.
- 64 kmCap Gris-NezThe closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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