| Herne Bay | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
.jpg) Herne Bay, seafront | |
  Herne Bay Location within Kent | |
| Area | 10.79 km2 (4.17 sq mi) |
| Population | 38,563 (2011 Census) |
| • Density | 3,574/km2 (9,260/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TR177681 |
| • London | 67mi |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HERNE BAY |
| Postcode district | CT6 |
| Dialling code | 01227 |
| Police | Kent |
| Fire | Kent |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| UK Parliament | |
Herne Bay /hɜːrn/ 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 separate 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.[1]
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. 1
- ^ Herne Bay Pier Archived 4 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine at www.theheritagetrail.co.uk (accessed 7 July 2008)