Herne Bay – The first clock tower

Herne Bay had the first freestanding purpose-built clock tower in the world constructed in 1837. The town has a good mix of cafés, restaurants and independent and chain stores. If you’re interested in living in Herne Bay, come into our Herne Bay office and we can help find a property to suit you.

A brief history of Herne Bay

Herne Bay is a seaside town with an estimated population of 39,000 people. The town began as a small shipping community receiving goods and passengers from London. It rose to prominence as a seaside resort during the early 19th century after a pleasure pier and promenade was built by London investors and reached its heyday in the Victorian era.

The town was first recorded in the early 1100s as Hyrnan. From the late Victorian period until 1978 the town had the second longest pier in the United Kingdom.

The piers central section was torn down during a storm in 1978 which left the end of the pier isolated out at sea. Cost has prevented the pier being rebuilt but local residents and businesses from the town have campaigned for restoration to take place.

Travel from Herne Bay

Travel to and from Herne Bay is easy. The high speed rail link to London St. Pancras connects Herne Bay to the capital in around an hour and 25 minutes. Alternatively, National Express Coaches offer a good service in and out of the town.

Getting around the local area couldn’t be more simple, with buses connecting Herne Bay to all the surrounding towns and well sign-posted roads make driving easily negotiable.