Cliffsend
Cliffsend is a village (sometimes written, correctly, as Cliffs End) and civil parish situated almost 2 miles (3 km) west of Ramsgate, Kent, United Kingdom, in the Thanet local government district.
Hengist and Horsa landed near here in 410AD, and St Augustine in 597.
Pegwell Bay Country Park is located here.[1] Also on permanent display on the cliff top at Pegwell Bay is a replica of the Viking longship Hugin , which sailed from Denmark to Thanet in 1949 to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the invasion of Britain, the traditional landing of the two men, and the betrothal of Hengist's daughter, Rowena, to King Vortigen of Kent. The Hugin was offered as a gift to Ramsgate and Broadstairs by the Daily Mail for preservation.[2]
Amenities
The village has one petrol station on its south-side, on the former A256, currently run by Jet. The station also acts as a local convenience store. The A256 was once one of the main roads in and out of the Thanet District, of which Cliffsend is part; however, the opening of the new 'East Kent Access Road' has ended this use of the road. The new East Kent Access Road cuts through the village via a multi-million pound tunnel.
The village has a local convenience store situated in the centre of the south-side of the village - which also contains a local post-office. This post-office is strongly supported by local residents, and was the only post office to be saved from closure nationally during the closure scheme in 2008.
The village has a local golf club, St Augustine's GC, of which the entrance is situated next to St Augustine's Cross, which is situated less than quarter of a mile West of the village. Access to this can be gained from the Thanet Way, heading south at the Cliffsend Roundabout, and then exiting at Sevenscore roundabout on the Cottington Road slipway.
Cliffsend is home to only one pub, the Sportsman Inn, which provides meals during the week lunch and evening periods, as well as over weekends. St Augustines GC also has a bar for those using the golfing facilities. Both cater for functions.
The village is the site of several local tourist attractions, including 'The Viking Ship', which is a recently restored replica Viking Ship similar to that which landed on the site during the invasion. The ship sits on the cliff top, on a large expansion of open grass, which contains an ice cream shop and parking for visitors. This overlooks Pegwell Bay nature reserve. On a clear day, visitors can see a large expanse of east Kent to the West, Sandwich, Deal, and the northern tip of the French Coast. To the east, the cliffs curve round into the nearby town of Ramsgate.
Though the village has no hotels itself, both Ramsgate (2 km) and Minster (4 km) have numerous facilities.
The Anglican parish church of St Mary is in Foads Lane. Originally a Methodist church it was rented by the Church of England from the early 1930s, eventually being bought in 1956.
Famous Residents
Although a small area with an accordingly low population, Cliffsend has had a number of 'famous' residents.
- The best known of these, in the public eye, is Jefferson Hack who lived in Beech Grove for much of his childhood and early adult life.
- Another famous couple in the acting and entertainment world are Melanie and Martina Grant who spent their childhood living with their mum in Walmer Gardens.
- For a small village, Cliffs End has been lived in by two accomplished jewellers/artists:
- Jeweller Barry Carthew lived north of the train line in his childhood.
- Artist and Jeweller, Fraser Wallin, who now lives in Whitstable spent his childhood in Beech Grove (just a few doors from his good friend Jefferson Hack).
- Historically, Augustine of Hippo briefly lived in the Cliffs End area around the year 597 - so he is probably the most famous resident!
Transport
The village is situated between the A299, the far end of the Thanet Way, and the A256, which meet at the Lord of the Manor roundabouts to the East of the village. (Note: This became the Thanet Intersection in February 2012 with the completion of the East Kent Access Programme).
The village is divided into two by the Canterbury to Ramsgate railway line, with the nearest stations being Minster (4 km) and Ramsgate (3 km)
Manston Airport or 'Kent International Airport' was situated to the north of the village, with the East end of the runway preventing the village expanding northwards. However the airport closed in May 2014.
At the south east corner of the village are the remains of Hoverlloyd's cross-channel hoverport. Vehicle and passenger carrying hovercraft were operated here from 1969 until 1982.
The New East Kent Access Road intersects the village at the same point as the railway line, though here it is in a tunnel, so the effect on the village is minimal. Both the A299 and A256 have been diverted onto new roads in this scheme; the former A299 and A256 remain in place to serve the village. Access from the new road to the village can be gained from the Thanet Intersection southwards, from Ebbfleet Roundabout eastwards, from the Sevenscore roundabout along Cottington road, and at Cliffsend roundabout heading eastwards.[3]
References
- ^ "Pegwell Bay Country Park". Kent County Council. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ "Cliffsend Viking Ship". letsvisit.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ^ http://www.kent.gov.uk/roads_and_transport/highway_improvements/major_transport_schemes/current_schemes/east_kent_phase_2.aspx
External links
Media related to Cliffsend at Wikimedia Commons
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