Coast

In 1785 it was considered “the most eligible place for persons of retirement”. It was most certainly the place to live for the well-connected in town, including rear admirals and lords in its time.

Many of the houses in this street are listed. Numbers 35 and 39 on your left are early 19th century listed. And on your right numbers 10, 12 (late 18th century), 24 (Pines Lodge, late 18th century with 17th century or early portions at the rear), 32, 34 and 36 are all listed too.

Fire station plaque

Effingham Street is also the location of the Ramsgate Fire Station. The Ramsgate Corporation bought the house and its grounds, which belonged to Rear Admiral William Fox, converting it into a station and also building the public library and what is now the Girls' Grammar School.

The fire station celebrates its centenary in October 2005. 100 medals have been struck to give to personnel past and present who have served at the historic station since 1905.

The Fire Station we see today was opened by the mayor in 1905. Take a moment to study the very impressive plaque commemorating this. It is the only premises left in the county still being used as a full time station 100 years on.

Dame Janet Stancomb-Wills, an adopted daughter of the tobacco magnate Sir Henry Wills, and a great benefactress to the town, donated the first motor fire engine in Ramsgate.

Ramsgate Fire Station

She was a great friend and confidante of the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton who located the south magnetic pole in 1909.

He was a frequent visitor to Ramsgate and she helped finance his expeditions. In return he named one of his small boats after her.

Continue your walk past the fire station and down to the bottom of Effingham Street. Turn left into Queen Street and right down York Street to Royal Parade.

On your way, take a quick detour into Charlotte Court on the left hand side of York Street. See if you can spot the Old Police Station.

Turn right and walk through the courtyard towards the Visitor Information Centre. You'll see on your left some strange brick sofas and chairs!

Walk through the alleyway back on to York Street and you'll see the current police station on your left. Continue towards the harbour to meet Royal Parade.