Gravesend is home to a diverse community, with the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara one of the most iconic buildings in Kent. More than its position would suggest. It is not somewhere you just leisurely pass through on your way to more salubrious parts of North Kent like Chatham or Gravesend. Open now. It's just getting a lot worse and they seem to be building everywhere. A window blind came crashing down and as her partner tried to reattach the fitting, he saw a row of trees slowly sliding over the nearby cliff edge. The beach is shingle, but that didn't put us off. Millions of people would love an opportunity like that and Sheppey has that in an abundance. I met the voluntary warden who is a mine of information - I hadn't known about the wildfowlers and the areas where they can and cannot shoot. Medway - River - 270 crime reports. Well, the bottom of the High Street, Tescos and that shining beacon of non-chavdom McDonalds, as you reach point 2 on the map.Here is one of the finest **** spotting areas in the country. Unwind in these ten, The beach is one of the very few in the country that has a pub on it. Yes, the island is a bit sparse and has a bit of a weird vibe away from the main settlements. So good, a free bus service picks up ****** from outlying holding pens such as Rushenden and Queenborough to pray at the Alter of out-of-date crisps, broken biscuits and snide designer wear. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. On the north of the island, 124 homes and 1,000 caravans along a four-mile (6.6km) stretch are thought to be at risk in the next century. 180 Wards where immigrants outnumber people born in the UK, Herne Bay, a coastal leisure town for pregnant teenagers, junkies & nerks, If Margate is a spot on England's ar*e, Westgate-on-sea is the pus, Gillingham - Lively Rubbish Bin of the South East. Even Pizza Hut has fled the town centre.. Sheppey is home to three prisons and one user on the Satirical website ILiveHere warned avoid this place at all costs. Indeed, Swanley definitely isnt the worst place to live in Kent. Windswept marshes inhabited by many breeding wetland birds, marsh frogs, insects and, Minster Leas is aBlue Flagaward winning (2017) beach on the north coast of the Isle of, Sheerness Beach is a shingle beach, bordered by a wide expanse of green open space which, Leysdown is a beach located at the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey on the north Kent, Internationally important site for over wintering wetland birds consisting of Mudflats,. It was fairly busy and people were quite happy keeping themselves to themselves which in COVID times is just what is needed. Yes, behold Sheerness market. It couldn't be simpler and it takes seconds - simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions. (I know, pedants, I already do.) Whether it be for work, watching football or just sightseeing I've been lucky enough to experience pretty much all of the Garden of England. Frequently Asked Questions about Isle of Sheppey. As I swept past Sittingbourne and Iwade, the iconic Sheppey Crossing started to loom large. Sheppey is derived from Old English Sceapig, [1] meaning "Sheep Island". "We get looked on as if we are hillbillies," he said. Hope renovation will As the name implies there are thousands of shells to examine. Ever since I can remember, the town centres have been plagued by ***** loining in the high street, They appear to triple in numbers when it comes to market day hoping to get some cheap Burberry or fake Gold although they will tell everyone how it is real they paid bare dollarz for it, innit.. Raymond Longhurst, 73, and Julie, 70, described themselves as having been "born and bred" in Sheerness. Featured development: Plot 109 The Lindow II is a 4 bedroom detached home with integral double garage. Dover is just one of the towns that has been downplayed by a resident. described as the Manchester United of Chav Towns, Swanley definitely isnt the worst place to live in Kent. 9. The government has pledged to spend 5.2bn over the next six years to protect households at risk of coastal erosion and flooding. 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. On the north of the island, 124 homes and 1,000 caravans along a four-mile (6.6km) stretch are thought to be at risk in the next century. There were . Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? The housebuilder will use these details to contact you about this property/development to arrange a viewing or provide you with more information. Experience the fascinating variety of landscapes and wealth of places to explore. Opinion: Should I sell my home before house prices crash? Raptor watching, soul searching open skies and Kentish sunsets. Something went wrong, please try again later. Consequently, no one wanted to live there apart from Junkies and various others whod allegedly trade cancer or a serious respiratory illness for a low rent. if its good enough for Mick Jagger, its probably good enough for you! With Michelin star restaurants and plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy, its one of the most popular areas in the county. Cosy and very well appointed and absolutely perfect for one (room for two if you know each other well!). Queenborough is a harbour town with moorings available, which evolved from a small Saxon settlement and is steeped in maritime history. Hallelujah!Point 3 is what some people consider the Sheerness Golden Triangle, the Market, the Police Station and the Job Centre, an area where Sheerness ***** spend 90% of their time, when out of the house. Mr Newell believes the rugged appearance means they are written off by the authorities. 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". There fundamentally wasnt anything wrong with it but it just had a end of the line feel about it. What its really like: Were not quite sure this resident knows where they are. The town is home to The Orchard Theatre, which is the perfect venue for a classy night out. Military Museums. In London everyone is so busy that they dont have the time to stop and appreciate whats around them whereas here, the people say hello and they sent us welcome cards when we moved in. Thanks to their stunning views, pristine sands and shingle, visitors flock to these beaches year after year to catch their fill of British sun and sea. I had dreamt of this moment for a long time so to finally be heading over all 1250 meters of the crossing was quite an emotional moment for me. They told KentLive: "Lots have changed in the area, I think the new bridge is a big positive. "He said 'you need to get out' and I think that's when I just lost it a little bit," the 42-year-old said. A walk around Mote Park makes for a good activity for the kids and with KentLife nearby you wont struggle for things to do. All Rights Reserved, What's On in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, What's On - Early May Bank Holiday Weekend, Celebrating Events Throughout The South East. Hundreds of people live near the Sheppey group of prisons. Strabane, in the north west of Northern Ireland, was named as the third worst place to live in the UK. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. Alongside personal donations, residents "did everything from cream teas, to cycle events" to raise the money, Dr Kosmin said. The high street was pretty run down, but then again a lot of high streets are like that in Kent. It is best to use the bridge TBH. The beach on the north side is great for windsurfing off, if you are learning, as it stays shallow for. What are the top attractions to visit in Isle of Sheppey? As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Really worth a visit if you are interested in the history or even if you want to see some peculiar memories from the past. The Isle of Sheppey is an island off the northern coast of Kent, England, neighbouring the Thames Estuary, centred 42 miles (68 km) from central London. "It is a bit . Flynns Bee Farm tea room is lovely, and Elmley's a wonderful bird sanctuary. With the high-street offering some top end shops and restaurants it really is a desirable place to live. How the resident described it: Those who drive also have the chance to drive up to one of the many multi-storey car parks/McDonalds DriveThru/Matalan car park and blare out their stereos from either their own, or their mum's car. You will need counseling for years to get over the Post Traumatic Stress. You can also sign up to our website and comment on our stories by pressing here and signing in. I live by the sea myself well down in Thanet. The second thing the more eagle eyed will spot is the amount of roadside CCTV and ANPR cameras on the A249 both on and off the island. Coastal defences, such as building a wall of rock to stop waves lapping at a cliff's base, are expensive and can have unintended consequences, like hastening erosion elsewhere, said landslide expert Dave Petley, a professor at the University of Sheffield. There seemed to be a lot of open land and well, a lot of nothing in the surrounding areas across the bridge. The remains of four hundred years of gun powder manufacturing in Faversham. What are the most popular things to do in Isle of Sheppey with children? Where Police data is not specific to an address for privacy reasons, most roads are represented by 1 to 2 markers or clusters. It would cost more than 25m to protect them all, engineers. The Swale National Nature Reserve forms part of the coastal marshlands of North Kent and is a special protection area home to many rare and uncommon migrant moths and butterflies. Across England in the next decade, it is estimated that up to 2,000 homes could face a similar fate due to coastal erosion, which is expected to accelerate with climate change. Less than 40 miles away, the East Sussex village of Fairlight provides a very different story. The official tourism website for the Swale area North Kent. More homes will be available soon at the Shurland Park development at Minster on Sea. Visit Sheppey website providing tourism listing information for Sheppey attractions, accommodation and events. Source: Census 2021 (Nomis/ONS) Here you can park and savour the sight of the Steel Mill in all its non-third world glory. 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. Pat Sandle "Not far from London, friendly people and natural beauty. Something went wrong, please try again later. How the resident described it: If you are considering moving to Sittingbourne, take my friendly and concise advice, and avoid it like the plague which manifests itself here., There is the nightly boy racer problem, driving around at speed, loud revving engines, causing them to backfire deliberately. ILiveHere is a website where local residents take brutal digs and swipes at their hometown - all in the name of satire. With its pebbles, Farmers Market run by small-scale farmers, producers, growers and bakers themselves. VideoThe secret mine that hid the Nazis' stolen treasure, LGBT troops take love for Eurovision to front line, Why an Indian comedian is challenging fake news rules. 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. Wantsum Channel: I discovered the river which used to separate Thanet from the rest of Kent, I took 10 to the Lidl and Aldi middle aisles and emerged happy with my work, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury and every other Kent area's May bank holiday bin collection dates, Some of the countys districts will see a slightly revised collection timetable due to the bank holiday, Live as A20 closed westbound after crash involving cars and lorry closes road, A20 Westbound closed, slow traffic due to accident, two cars and a lorry involved from A260 Canterbury Road to M20, The Kent areas with the worst air pollution revealed amid controversial ULEZ expansion, Current plans would see the Ultra Low Emissions Zone expanded this summer, New map shows latest Arcturus Covid cases in UK - check your area, A surge in cases of the Arcturus variant has been recorded in over 30 countries, Kent weather: Hour-by-hour May bank holiday forecast with temperatures as hot as Venice, Its looking to be a very warm bank holiday here in the Garden of England, The burnt ruin of the former New Inn pub in Gravesend that's still standing almost one year after fire, The owner is believed to be in discussion with Historic England to 'agree a way forward for the site', Cyclist suffers 'serious injuries' after crash involving two cars, The crash has led to Canterbury Road being closed while emergency services attend the scene, Stunning Spanish galleon ship heading to Thanet in time for Coronation weekend, It is the only ship of its kind to sail in the present day, A260 crash seriously injures cyclist with road forced to close all afternoon, Kent Police and paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene with traffic heading into Folkestone heavily impacted, Kents best pubs with a beer garden to make the most of this spring, Theres a reason our county is known as the Garden of England, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is flying into Tunbridge Wells this May, Grab the whole family to journey along with Chitty's eccentric inventor this coming half term, Major Kent road closed in one direction after crash, Celebrate coronation with afternoon tea on steam train through Kent, New map shows latest Arcturus Covid cases in UK, 'Inflation is making it harder to grocery shop on a budget - even at Aldi', Some items at Aldi - like many other stores - have increased in price over the past months, Stunning Spanish galleon ship heading to Kent, Father-of-six among those remembered by loved ones in Kent's death notices. The Elmley Conservation Trust and Raptor Viewing Platform at Capel Fleet give nature enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the stunning array of birds who visit the island. Sign up for the free KentLive newsletter Signing up to the KentLive newsletter means you'll get the latest news direct to your inbox twice a day. They actual empty the bins when full and staff out litter picking! Enjoy our countryside and the heritage orchards blossoming this Spring at Brogdale Collections. If you are lucky to visit in. I picked a bright and warm winter's day to give the island the best possible chance of impressing me. "All we got out with was the pyjamas we were wearing.". (modern), 'Smudgy, soggy marshland and vast skies.' Experience Sheppey by cycling or walking and follow the Explore Kent - Sheppey Map (downloadable PDF). Why is this you ask? Away from the high street and towards the coast you can see why the island is still popular with tourists today. This is one of my favourite places to visit on the Isle of Sheppey and well worth a visit. The largest category was Violent Crime, followed by Anti Social Behaviour. The Isle of Sheppey is an island of 36 square miles that lies 68km from London. Terraces, 70,000-150,000. 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. My family have spoken about going to Sheppey back in the day for their first sun of summer and its easy to see why. How can anywhere with a coastline be a bad place to live? With Eastwell Manor and Godinton House not too far from the town, it really does offer some luxury to those who want it. 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. Opposite there is a lovely cafe that serves very good value refreshments. A fox being shot, got a police officer called out and now theyre making local history up to suit their ideas. Major Kent road closed in one direction after crash, Celebrate coronation with afternoon tea on steam train through Kent, New map shows latest Arcturus Covid cases in UK, A260 crash seriously injures cyclist with road forced to close all afternoon, Kent Police and paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene with traffic heading into Folkestone heavily impacted, 'Inflation is making it harder to grocery shop on a budget - even at Aldi', Some items at Aldi - like many other stores - have increased in price over the past months, Stunning Spanish galleon ship heading to Kent, Father-of-six among those remembered by loved ones in Kent's death notices. In short, its an absolute sh*thole.. The Isle of Sheppey lies off the North Kent coast. Over lockdown those of us lucky to live by the coast have been counting our blessings that our daily walks have been along the seafront overlooking water. The only exception could be where there is a large cluster of a single crime category on a street, as this could but not necessarily be related to multiple incidents at one address. London - 90 mins by car, 90 mins by train, Canterbury - 45 mins by car, 60 mins by train, Rochester - 35 mins by car, 50 mins by train. I had a lovely few hours, walking along the raised 'bund' towards the bird hide. Jones Homes have been building new homes in the area for the past 20 years thanks to a forward-thinking local authority encouraging the construction of larger family-size homes to attract new residents to the area. Fantastic little pub and fabulous landlady, landlord and staff. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. It is known that Edward III built a castle there, but sadly only the earthworks are what remain today. If you have the stomach to proceed into the heart of the beast Sheerness, you can now head for point 3 on the map. The Island is already beginning to see an influx of former city dwellers looking for more space and clean air wanting to put down roots in a place by the sea. The couple sold their two-bedroom flat in Hackney for more than 700,000, investing the proceeds in a new four-bedroom detached house, with money to spare for furnishings, a new car and more. The Swale Estuary has now been designated as a Marine Conservation Zone and the Isle of Sheppey is a great place to view it. A town only rivaled in the *********** league by the mighty **** Mecca that is Chatham. 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 *****. A poll on satirical website ILiveHere has revealed that the town of Swanley was the worst place to live in Kent. In keeping with her unconventionality is the islands weird and sometimes bloody history of Vikings raids, murdered monks and the attempted clandestine escape of King James II. It doesn't have the chiselled cheekbones of Skye or the cosy familiarity of Wight. If you are lucky to visit in. What its really like: Anyone who has spent any time in Kent as a kid will tell you about The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch - its really great fun. 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. Live in Ramsbottom, Lancashire? A gem not to be missed. 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. Canterbury also has good access to both London and the coast - a major perk of living there. The island is approximately nine miles long and five miles wide. Pre-schools & Nurseries: Warden Bay Playgroup, Woodlands Nursery school, Seashells Nursery, Just Kidz, Early Birds Nursery at Richmond. A family of six lost their home and all their possessions to a landslide on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, Emma Tullett could hear the house creaking as she fled with her children, Malcolm Newell says he and his neighbours are treated like "hillbillies" by authorities, Julian and Christine Green's home in Surf Crescent is now the closest to the cliff edge, Ruth Kosmin, an economist, was able to challenge Rother District Council on its numbers, Residents in Fairlight used their professional expertise to win government funding, Several houses in Fairlight fell into sea before the three stages of coastal defences were built, Owners of neighbouring properties have returned home, but fear they may be next, Ms Tullett's home was left hanging over the cliff edge for several days, A front wall and an outbuilding is all that remains today, Ms Tullett and her family were moved to temporary accommodation by the borough council. How the resident described it: "Long thought of as a picturesque tourist location, Yet if you were to take a trip to the town centre and look past all the historic buildings and occasional street performers and you would see the first signs of an infestation. Swaleside, Elmley and Standford Hill prisons viewed from the air, The centre of Sheerness wasn't too inspiring, The centre of Sheerness is much like a number of towns in Kent. Can you correctly name these Kent celebrities in our quiz? 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. Minster is home to more than 20,000 people and is just along the coast from Sheerness, and offers some more magnificent views looking out across the water. The first thing you used to notice as you approached Sheerness by car on the A249 was the smell. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. A "high burden" is placed on householders' ability to understand "whether that house is at risk or not", he said. Worked a lot at sheerness docks. What its really like: This resident clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed that morning. Iwouldn't live anywhere else.". If you have never heard of Sheerness, thats because its the kind of isolated hellhole, you have to go far, far out of your way to wash up in. So, why are some areas saved and others left to fall into the sea? Kent areas with worst pollution amid controversial ULEZ expansion, Arrest after man has neck cut in 'serious assault', Police are now appealing for witnesses and those with information to come forward, 'Lethal' firearms and drugs seized following search warrant, Two men have been arrested after the discovery, Appeal for witnesses after Audi crashed into tree, Police say the occupant is in a serious but stable condition after Thursday's incident, Officers are appealing for information to locate 36-year-old Peter Harlow. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Greeting to Rule and Rule, Mann & Co, Ward & Partners, Sheppey Estates, Broadway Estates and any other agents on the Island of Dreams! 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. 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 review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Dont ask me what the mythical attraction is of this kids play area (apart from somewhere to walk your pitbull cross) and for the love of god, dont go spotting at night when Tantra nightclub is in full swing. Hang out at Those old naval pubs by the dockyard: if walls could talk. The work also required permission from Natural England, which has protected the cliffs as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, to allow the study of the landslides themselves. "The financial value of the area at risk does not outweigh the costs to build and maintain the measures required," residents were told in a letter from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Turner Centre, Dreamland, Folk Week and the biggest Wetherspoons in the UK mean there is always stuff happening in the east of the county. 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. "If your house is destroyed by coastal erosion or by landsliding, essentially you're on your own. Regardless, I love the place! Have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? With a bustling nightlife situated just minutes away from the historic Leeds Castle, it really does appeal to the masses. With a direct train into London also available its a hot-spot for commuters. The narrow, but long beach spans along the front of the Sheerness for seemingly miles on end. Ms Tullett, who manages a grocery store in Minster, Kent, had owned her home outright, but with no prospect of an insurance payout, she now faces monthly rent bills. Providing some wonderful opportunities, to discover some of the impressive marine and birdlife found along the shoreline. My next stop along the coast was the village of Minster-on-sea, not to be confused with Minster-in-Thanet. Other claims to fame include Nelson being based at the naval dockyard, and his body returned to Sheerness after he died at the Battle of Trafalgar. The nature reserves and wildlife habitats are attracting many new visitors who recognise and seek the unparalleled environmental excellence of the North Kent marshes. Now what do I mean by freaks? Located off the northern coast of Kent, Sheppey, derived from an old English word meaning Sheep Island was an important area of high ground to the people of the neolithic and bronze ages, but there stops the normalcy. Faversham, the oldest market town in Kent and recorded in the Domesday Book, is bursting with history and located on a winding creek. Think Isle of Sheppey, think of a proper seaside holiday, golden sand at Leysdown on Sea with all the classic, nostalgic memories and experiences including award winning beaches, ice cream and seaside holidays like they used to make them.