Coast

Number 15 Harbour Street

As you wander up the pedestrianised Harbour Street look out for the hairdressers at number 15. This is the oldest building in Harbour Street.

Peak inside and you'll see the old timbers. Until around 1780 the streets were consisted of beaten earth and would have been lined with these kind of cottages.

St George's Lantern Tower

As you approach the church you'll notice the high tower topped with the very impressive octagonal stone lantern which has recently been renovated at a cost of £1, 240 000. Restoration work began in January 2001 and the last scaffolding pole was
removed in September 2004.

Each face of the lantern bears a letter spelling St George and the weathervane on top has a bullet hole in it that was collected during the Second World War.

The church was consecrated in 1827.

The Dunkirk stained glass window

Our old friend Sir Billy Biscuit was a treasurer of the church and, although his body was buried in the crypt of St Mary’s in Wanstead there is a memorial plaque to him and Lady Curtis in the Lady Chapel.

Chatham House School

Since the 1944 Education Act it has been a state grammar school with famous old boys including ex-Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath who died in July 2005 and Sir William Wratten who led the RAF in the first Gulf War.

In fact Chatham House has the sixth highest number of Who's Who entries for state schools and Old Ruymian Edward Heath, who was born in Broadstairs, was the first state-school educated Prime Minister in office.

When you have finished admiring the church and school retrace your footsteps back down Church Hill. When you get back to the High Street turn right, cross the road and head up Chapel Place.

Church opening times: