Coast

Jacob's Ladder

Cross the main road and walk down Military Road. Note: no dogs are allowed in the harbour precincts.

Military Road was built in about 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. Until then the only way to access the west pier would have been down Jacob’s Ladder – wooden steps built by a carpenter named Jacob Steed - or along the beach at low tide.

It is said that Jacob’s Ladder was the favoured means of access to and from the harbour for gold coin smugglers. The steps are now made of stone and can be seen past the Sailors' Church.

Smack Boys' Home

You'll see to your right, as you wander around the edge of the harbour, the Brick Arches which house workshops and stores, mainly for the marine trade. These shops extend right under Royal Parade above.

Continue along Military Road and you'll see on your right a building with the words “Smack Boys Home”.

The Smack Boys were very young boys, some as young as 10, many from the workhouse in Minster, who worked on the fishing smacks. This was in the days when Ramsgate had a large fishing fleet.

Sailors' Home and Harbour Mission

Sailors Church

This building was used for accommodation for the young boys from 1881 until it closed in 1915. Before this their accommodation would have been above the Sailors' Church next door.

The Sailors' Church was built and opened in 1878 and was originally known as the Sailors’ Home and Harbour Mission.

The beautiful little church is still in use and the rooms above are now used by Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts. You can have a wander around the church if it’s open. It’s well worth a look.

Church opening times:

• Daily all year. From mid June to end of September you can have coffee in the church from 10am to 4pm.

Once you have visited the church take the road almost immediately opposite, heading towards the harbour and West Pier.