Herne Bay

The resort town of Herne Bay proudly flies the European Blue Flag 2003 and the yellow and blue Seaside Award Flag 2003, over its safe clean beaches. The resort is a popular destination for water sports, wind surfing, sailing, zapcats racing and jet skiing but is still suitable for sandcastles, swimming and excellent fishing too. Popular wildlife sailing trips leave most days to see seals and dolphin in their natural habitat. At Wildwood on nearby Herne Common, land-dwelling wildlife such as wolves, beavers, badgers and otters may be seen. The town's vibrant and colourful August festival, includes a carnival, firework displays, fun fair and events for the whole family. The recently refurbished Victorian Bandstand holds concerts throughout the season and the popular Punch and Judy Days are now an annual event. From the bay one can see the twin towers of St Mary's Church at Reculver, a navigational aid for centuries and which today mark the location of Reculver Country Park. In World War II the bouncing bomb, invented by Barnes Wallis for the Dambusters, was tested off the shore here. A recently recovered prototype bomb may now be seen in the Herne Bay Museum and Gallery.