The English seaside town with the UK’s biggest Wetherspoons and the award-winning restaurant
IF you fancy a drink by the beach in a record-breaking Wetherspoons, you’re in luck.
The small seaside town of Ramsgate is often overlooked in favour of other nearby destinations in Kent.
However, it has a lot going for, one being the UK’s biggest Wetherspoons.
The Grade-II listed Royal Victoria Pavilion was opened as a Wetherspoons in 2017.
There is more than 11,000sqm of space for drinkers, with a beachfront terrace.
Former Ramsgate Mayor Trevor Shonk said when it opened at the time: “This is the best thing that’s happened to Ramsgate for a long time.”
The Sun visited the huge Wetherspoons last year – here’s what we thought.
Even if you don’t fancy visiting the pub, the long stretch of beach is worth a visit.
It is also known for it’s harbour – the only royal harbour in the UK – where bars line the front, with boat-lovers watching them with a drink in hand.
It was granted the royal status by King George IV due to his love of the coastal town.
Otherwise there are lots of other attractions to visit, such as the Ramsgate Tunnels, or Petticoat Lane Emporium for some vintage shopping in the huge warehouse.
Don’t miss out on the little shops and cafes underneath the bridge arches too, which often change.
And Marc-Pierre’s Kitchen is worth a visit for dinner, having been named a finalist in the Taste of Kent Awards, as well as praised for being a gluten and nut free kitchen.
The restaurant serves primarily local food, with seafood from Ramsgate, while vegetables and meat from from nearby Kent suppliers.
If you fancy staying the night, one of the more popular hotels in Ramsgate is the Albion House Hotel, who once welcomed Queen Victoria.
Here’s what we thought of the Ramsgate hotel.
It’s easy to get to from London, with direct trains from London St Pancras taking just under two hours.
Also near Ramsgate is Margate, often dubbed Shoreditch-on-Sea.
We spoke to locals and found out the best beach spots as well as the cheapest eats and coolest pubs.
And here’s what it’s like to visit the nearby Kent town of Whitstable.
What is it like to visit Ramsgate?
The Sun’s Gayle Schoales visited Ramsgate last year – he’s what he thought:
The seaside town of Ramsgate is home to the UK’s only Royal Harbour.
To learn more about WW2 life, head to Ramsgate Tunnels — the UK’s largest network of wartime tunnels.
Originally built as a railway, it sheltered people during the Blitz, becoming an underground town complete with shops, barbers and a hospital.
If you fancy stretching your legs, embark on the scenic 45-minute walk along the beach to Broadstairs — on a clear day, you can see France!
Of course, no trip to the seaside is complete without trying out the local fish and chips — and you’ll discover Ramsgate’s finest at Peter’s Fish Factory.
Sitting on the beach devouring our cod and chips as the sun was setting made for the perfect finale to the perfect weekend getaway.