Having been born on the island I am embarrassed to say that I had overlooked this wonderful place, tucked away in a quiet corner of Sheerness, I visited along with my husband and daughter for the first time today and was blown away, the volunteers were extremely welcoming, and readily shared their knowledge. This came from the Steel Mill and of course, was in no way toxic, in fact, its just like breathing in fresh alpine air. What the resident said: Gravesend, Otherwise known as the armpit of Kent., No one can even walk about Gravesend town centre without getting threatened, spat at and so on, I think Gravesend is one of the most **** filled, disgustingly stereotypical town you will EVER find.. In the summer months, the local **** community like to avail themselves of something from McDonalds 1 menu and **** it up in and around the Sand Pit like flies around *****. "Yes there is a McDonalds, but theres a McDonalds nearly everywhere these days. if its good enough for Mick Jagger, its probably good enough for you! Hope renovation will As the name implies there are thousands of shells to examine. Its a typical British seaside town and a lot nicer than this resident makes it out to be. For lunch we went to a pub called The Playa, which is on the other side of the road opposite the beach, and had a very nice lunch. described as the Manchester United of Chav Towns, Swanley definitely isnt the worst place to live in Kent. Yes, behold Sheerness market. What its really like: Im not quite sure which part of Herne Bay this resident lives in, but it cant be the same parts Ive seen. "We're back to square one," she said. JMW Turner also painted scenes of Sheerness, and nearby Blue Town has many historical links, which you can learn all about at Blue Town Heritage Centre. The Sheppey Tourist Information Centre is hosted at Sheppey Community Media Centre, The Pavilion, Off Royal Road, Sheerness on Sea, ME12 1AY. She gathered up her four children, throwing coats over the youngest, aged six and eight. Here you can park and savour the sight of the Steel Mill in all its non-third world glory. Raymond Longhurst, 73, and Julie, 70, described themselves as having been "born and bred" in Sheerness. The island has plenty of areas with stunning views and a sea-front to die for. Minster was a very pleasant place and Id suggest anyone goes there on a nice sunny day before judging. The most popular things to do in Isle of Sheppey with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are: Minster Beach; Elmley National Nature Reserve - Day Visit; Barton's Point Coastal Park; Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum; Island Cruises; See all kid friendly things to do in Isle of Sheppey on Tripadvisor It really is breathtakingly beautiful just like Port Talbot. Yes, the whole country. The largest category was Violent Crime, followed by Anti Social Behaviour. It is not somewhere you just leisurely pass through on your way to more salubrious parts of North Kent like Chatham or Gravesend. Really worth a visit if you are interested in the history or even if you want to see some peculiar memories from the past. Beaches atLeysdownandMinster Leasboast 'Seaside Awards' whilstSheerness Beachhas was awarded a 'Blue Flag' by 'Keep Britain Tidy' in 2015. For those that are more adventurous, there is the opportunity for kayaking, sailing or kiting on many of the islands beaches, thefour main beaches being- Sheerness Beach, Leysdown Beach, Minster Leas Beach and Shellness Beach. Thousands more properties have been protected by costly coastal defences. However, there is a thriving strong community to be enjoyed and what better place to do that than in the islands great selection of pubs and bars with evening entertainment including live bands, discos and karaoke nights. The tide was in when we first arrived, but soon went out. Leicester: not recommended as a holiday destination, I lived here, North Devon: the second home ghost-coast nightmare, Harpenden the smuggest town in the smuggest county. This map shows if incidents are evenly distributed over the district or if there are hot spots in certain streets or areas. Very clean well presented costal park! A walk around Mote Park makes for a good activity for the kids and with KentLife nearby you wont struggle for things to do. Isle of Sheppey - Towns & Villages in Swale - Visit South East England You are here: Places To Visit > Isle of Sheppey Isle of Sheppey Swale Type: Towns & Villages Kent, ME12 2DA Email Tel: +44 01795 417478 About The towns and villages scattered throughout the Isle of Sheppey shelter centuries of rich maritime and aviation histories. "It's an area we can definitely recommend for people to visit, but not to live. But the curlews, godwits, oystercatchers, plovers and all the other waders, and the shingle banks make up for it. You can also enter your email address in the box below the picture on most desktop and mobile platforms. Sheppey Guide - How do you get to the Isle of Sheppey? In 2016, his campaign won a small victory, persuading the council to invest 30,000 in biodegradable matting that it was tentatively hoped might slow erosion. ), A rare and stunning painted ceiling not to be missed, A quaint little church with a rare painted ceiling which has survived all these years. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Can you correctly name these Kent celebrities in our quiz? Prof Petley believes a national fund - similar to New Zealand's earthquake commission - is needed to compensate homeowners like Ms Tullett and help others move out of harm's way. Less than 40 miles away, the East Sussex village of Fairlight provides a very different story. Sheerness Beach 89 Beaches By Nerina1966 The first thing you used to notice as you approached Sheerness by car on the A249 was the smell. If you don't like that landscape of smudgy, soggy marshland and vast skies common to the Thames Estuary, or the sewage works and paper mills that greet you on your arrival, look away now. ", Dawn Cockburn "Impressive sense of community, with choirs, musical groups, caring councillors. We travelled from Middlesex to visit this beach, and we are already planning our next visit. Jan 2022. I could have done without the sound of guns but otherwise the walk was lovely. Source: Census 2021 (Nomis/ONS) The case against Literally and metaphorically off the main road, for better and worse. There is lots of clearly explained information about the town and its history, especially the WWII minesweeper fleer. With Michelin star restaurants and plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy, its one of the most popular areas in the county. Mr Henderson admitted that there was a "Wild West-type environment" among some on the island, who preferred to be free from outside intervention. How the resident described it: Dartford is a hell hole populated by uneducated knuckle draggers., Dartford is an awful place due to the awful nerdowells that reside there, their families have lived there for generations and never moved on, so if you think you can move there as an outsider and integrate into their ways, forget it!, I have moved far away to a quieter part of Kent where the average IQ is considerably higher than it is in Dirtford.. Sheerness gets a hard time of it, we think thats unfair. What its really like: This seems like an incredibly harsh take from the resident. So, why are some areas saved and others left to fall into the sea? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. You are here: Places To Visit > Isle of Sheppey. With a bustling nightlife situated just minutes away from the historic Leeds Castle, it really does appeal to the masses. "We had local lawyers, we had people who were company secretaries, we had people in business, we knew how to deal with government," she said. The secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure. What are the most popular things to do in Isle of Sheppey with children? As you travel onwards, you will drive past Blue Town before you know it. You can also enter your email address in the box below the picture on most desktop and mobile platforms. Unwind in these ten, The beach is one of the very few in the country that has a pub on it. But even on a dour day, up on the backbone of hills to the north to which its houses cling, away from themarshes dotted with sheep (after which the isle is named), you feel azillion miles from anywhere. Queenborough is a harbour town with moorings available, which evolved from a small Saxon settlement and is steeped in maritime history. I cant re omens it enough. Schools Primaries: Eastchurch CofE, Minster, Queenborough and Rose Street are "good", Ofsted says. It may not have the chiselled cheekbones of Skye or the cosy familiarity of Wight, but it's packed with that oddness and apartness peculiar to islands, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Distinguished aviators such as Shorts, Rolls and Wrights were all based here and on 2nd May 1909 John Brabazon made the first flight in Britain - flying a total of 500 yards at a height of 35 feet at Leysdown. Primary schools: St Georges C of E Primary School, Eastchurch Church Of England Primary School, Minster-in-Sheppey Community Primary School, Eastchurch CE Primary School St Clements, Thistle Hill Academy Primary school, Halfway Houses Primary School, West Minster County Primary School, Rose Street Primary School, St Edwards Catholic Primary School. Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Isle of Sheppey, Hotels near Swale National Nature Reserve, Hotels near Chestfield and Swalecliffe Station, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Isle of Sheppey, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Isle of Sheppey, Game & Entertainment Centres in Isle of Sheppey, Speciality & Gift Shops in Isle of Sheppey, Rua Augusta Arch Viewpoint Admission Ticket, Full-day Guided Bus Tour to Mt. A town only rivaled in the *********** league by the mighty **** Mecca that is Chatham. The remains of four hundred years of gun powder manufacturing in Faversham. "The memories that are here can't be replaced," he said. The staff are so helpful, from the volunteer wardens who make sure everyone knows what wildlife is about to the catering staff who look after you well. With this in mind, the council and the Environment Agency - which are jointly responsible for managing coastal defences in the area - agreed on a policy of "no active intervention". This home has a double garage and a block paved driveway. We enjoyed our day here. Experience Sheppey by cycling or walking and follow the Explore Kent - Sheppey Map (downloadable PDF). If you are lucky to visit in Wow mid August and parking spaces no problem, places to eat no problem, good selection of shops, but no public toilets Amazing, nothing like this in our home area (oxfordshire). "For smaller communities in general, it's not considered to be worth the damage to the adjacent sections of the cliff or the damage to the environment," he added. Detacheds, 160,000-320,000. Dover is just one of the towns that has been downplayed by a resident. But once you get in to the towns in Kent you could be mistaken for being in a number of locations in the county. Even though Swanley was the only Kent town to feature on the worst 50 in the county, a number of other areas have been on the receiving end of some angry locals. With the reculver towers just a mile down the road, its a popular spot for tourists who enjoy visiting the area - despite what the resident says. Regardless, I love the place! It has a prison and a bridge. The curators are excellent hosts. Gravesend is home to a diverse community, with the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara one of the most iconic buildings in Kent. A poll on satirical website ILiveHere has revealed that the town of Swanley was the worst place to live in Kent. Elmley National Nature Reserve is an internationally important freshwater grazing marsh wetland renowned for significant populations of over-wintering and breeding birds, and also hare, water voles, rare invertebrates and flora. It has its own special island identity, which really draws the local community together, yet it's more accessible than people might think, within easy reach of great transport links to other parts of Kent and London." Sara Stanhope, Sales and Marketing Director for Jones Homes Southern Secondaries: Isle of Sheppey Academy was "inadequate" in 2011, but is now"making satisfactory progress". Secondary schools: Westlands Secondary School, Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey Secondary school, The Sittingbourne School, Fulston Manor. The largest category was Violent Crime, followed by Anti Social Behaviour. Its not that Ive never wanted to be there, more that Ive never had a reason to go there. 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To the north-east of the island is the busy market town and port of Sheerness; to the west is the historic town of Queenborough and to the east of the island travel through the parishes of Minster and Eastchurch both with significant stories to tell on the way to the popular holiday destination Leysdown. It added that it had held a public exhibition in 2013, which "explained the justification for the no active intervention policy". It is also home to Sheppey FM 92.2 Community Radio, just one of the many amenities provided by. A place that I have heard so much about over the years and yet a place I have never been to - The Isle of Sheppey. How can anywhere with a coastline be a bad place to live? "It is a bit . Over the next four days, she watched from a distance as her home on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, went over the cliff in stages. Nowadays the island is seen as a sleepy and remote backwater, but if you take more than a glance at her youll discover beauty of the kind seen in Bronts Yorkshire moors. Known as "stab city", the prison is reportedly "overrun by spice" and is a place where people are . Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. One of the new residents at Kingsborough Manor is former Londoner Shaun Brown, who moved there with his partner Gary McDonald and their husky Troy. Why is this you ask? Go to Visit Swale's Plan Your Visit pages for more itinerary suggestions for a stay on the Isle of Sheppey. All opinion articles are for entertainment purposes only and are satire. The Sheppey Tourist Information Centre is hosted at Sheppey Community Media Centre, The Pavilion, Off Royal Road, Sheerness on Sea, ME12 1AY. How the resident described it: Ashford or Trashford?, Im hoping that the town will at least lose its moniker of ********* Town In Kent before any of my offspring enter this world but hey, hell would probably freeze over first., "The town centre has always been littered with empty shops and the ones that are filled are either 99p shops, mobile phone shops, charity shops or discount shoe shops. There were a total of 51 street level crime incidents in Isle of Sheppey in February 2023. "The Isle of Sheppey is one of Kent's best-kept secrets. plenty of amusements to choose from. With Eastwell Manor and Godinton House not too far from the town, it really does offer some luxury to those who want it. If you are lucky to visit in. It couldn't be simpler and it takes seconds - simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions. There were . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ilivehere_co_uk-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ilivehere_co_uk-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'ilivehere_co_uk-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',144,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ilivehere_co_uk-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-144{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}So lets take a tour of Sheerness-on-sea. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? The retired wood-turner, 71, said they had enjoyed "16 good years" before his wife died. Sheppey is not a conventional beauty. Due to the prevailing wind, Blue Town used to get a good dose of the lovely meadow fresh alpine air from the Steel Mill. What it is really like: Dartford may not have the sea views like some parts of Kent, but it is a perfectly reasonable place to live and has great links to London. Discover the 'Sheppey Shoreline' (downloadable pdf) - a family guide to the wildlife that can be found on the island's beaches. The Isle of Sheppey can be like stepping back in time, with some areas barely changed since the 1950s. The island's relatively soft cliffs, made mainly of London Clay, have for centuries been slipping into the Thames Estuary, exposing internationally renowned fossil deposits. A grassy area with park benches slopes down to a long, shingle beach where a number of groynes stretch out into the sea. The staircase is also a good work out in itself.". It had more of a homely feel about it and I could see why people would be happy living there. I did not realise just how much history the Isle of Sheppey had to offer. Eastchurch Aviation Museum 32 Military Museums By debbierH8889EP Opposite there is a lovely cafe that serves very good value refreshments. Elsewhere, Central Park and Darenth Country Park offer a great place to relax. The Heritage centre captures it well and I would highly recommend to anyone of any age who has a keen interest of the history of Sheppey to pay them a visit, a very interesting place indeed. Asked what had been done to inform residents of the risk and help them adapt, Swale Borough Council said erosion had been a "well-known issue along this stretch of coast for decades", adding that it would be "highlighted in surveys when someone buys a property or takes out home insurance". 2023 BBC. Half-hourly trains with a change from Sheerness to London St Pancras (90 minutes), Canterbury (54) and Rochester (50), but it's quicker to drive locally: Medway towns half an hour away, M2 15 minutes and M20 half an hour. More than its position would suggest. Highest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews. Like other small communities nationwide, Ms Tullett and her neighbours on the Isle of Sheppey have been told that, simply put, their homes are not worth saving. Opposite there is a lovely cafe that serves very good value refreshments. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. The islands peaceful wilderness and big skies can be enjoyed walking or cycling along many of the islands routes. Simple answer - it can't. More homes will be available soon at the Shurland Park development at Minster on Sea. Listings of all films shot on the Island can be found on the Kent Film Office website and include: Great Expectations, The Hide, Top Gear - The Sweeney. I wasnt too impressed with Sheerness high street and the town itself but the seafront was hard to criticise. The island is approximately nine miles long and five miles wide. This museum is a fascinating archive of all things related to Queenborough. 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"All we got out with was the pyjamas we were wearing.". 252 reviews. The town, between Sevenoaks and Dartford was described as the Manchester United of Chav Towns. Besides, if its good enough for Mick Jagger, its probably good enough for you! Sign up to our daily newsletter for all the latest Kent stories and breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.