16 Things to Do in Herne Bay: A Local’s Guide to Kent’s Seaside Gem

I’ve always had a soft spot for Herne Bay. Whilst everyone rushes off to Whitstable or Margate, this little seaside town quietly gets on with being rather lovely. When I visited last time, I was reminded why I keep coming back – there’s something genuinely relaxing about the place, something unhurried and unpretentious that feels increasingly rare along the Kent coast.

You’ll find Herne Bay sits between the more famous coastal towns, and honestly, that can’t be a bad thing. The crowds are smaller, the pace is gentler, and there are plenty of things to discover if you know where to look. I challenge you to spend a day here without falling a little bit in love with its old-fashioned seaside charm.

I’ve put together the things I actually do when I’m in Herne Bay, not just the obvious tourist spots. You’ll find practical information for each attraction – some suggestions are classic seaside activities, others are little discoveries that might not be in your typical guidebook.

1. Walk the Full Length of Herne Bay Pier

This is totally one of my favourite things to do in Herne Bay, and I do this every single time I visit. The pier stretches out into the sea for about a third of a mile, and when I walked it last time, the light was absolutely beautiful – that soft, diffused glow you only really get by the coast. There are also lovely craft shops, food stalls and fun fair and you can also buy a bucket, string and everything you need to catch some crabs of the side of the pier!

You’ll find that Herne Bay Pier has a rather dramatic history, and I think it’s fascinating to look at how it’s changed since the first wooden structure was built in 1832. This was designed by Thomas Telford, but it was eventually replaced by a second iron pier in 1873, and then a third in 1899 which stretched over 3,700 feet into the sea.

This is because it needed to reach deep water for the paddle steamers that brought visitors down from London. During the Second World War, the pier was breached to prevent enemy landings, and then a series of fierce storms in 1978 and 1979 destroyed the central section. This left the pavilion isolated out at sea, which you can still see in the far distance.

• Location: The Pier, Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN
• Opening Times: Open 24 hours (the pier itself), Pier building hours vary seasonally
• Tickets: Free

2. Visit the Clock Tower

You can’t miss the Clock Tower – it stands in the middle of the promenade and I think it’s rather handsome in that Victorian seaside way. Built in 1837, this is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks, which has been restored beautifully, and it is a perfect meeting point if you’re catching up with friends. There are benches around it where you can sit and watch the world go by, which is always pleasant on a sunny day.

The tower houses a small visitor information point during peak season, so you can pick up local maps and get recommendations if you need them. I also often spot interesting community notices posted here about local events.

• Location: Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN (at the pier entrance)
• Opening Times: Exterior viewable at all times, Information point: Generally 10:00-16:00 during summer months
• Tickets: Free

3. Explore the Seafront Gardens

Just beside the Clock Tower, you’ll find the Seafront Gardens, and these are really lovely for a gentle stroll. I like how they’re maintained – clearly cared for but not overly manicured. There are flowerbeds, well-kept lawns, and plenty of benches facing the sea.

The gardens stretch along the seafront, and they’re perfect if you want somewhere to sit with a coffee (there’s a little kiosk nearby) and just enjoy the view.

You’ll also find a bandstand here, which occasionally hosts live music during the summer months. There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned about sitting on the grass listening to a brass band whilst watching the sea – very traditional British seaside.

• Location: Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN (adjacent to Clock Tower)
• Opening Times: Dawn to dusk daily
• Tickets: Free

4. Discover Herne Bay Museum & Gallery

This is a proper little gem, tucked away in a Victorian building that was once the town’s library. I visited a few years ago and was genuinely impressed by how much local history they’ve managed to pack into the space. The museum tells the story of Herne Bay from its days as a small fishing village through to its Victorian heyday as a fashionable seaside resort.

You’ll find fascinating exhibits about the town’s maritime history, including information about the old paddle steamers that used to bring day-trippers from London. There are also displays about the pier’s various incarnations, old photographs showing how the seafront has changed, and artefacts from local archaeological digs.

The best thing about this museum is that it’s run by volunteers who are genuinely passionate about local history. When I was there, I hear some amazing stories about Herne Bay in the 1950s, and I learned more in that conversation than I would have from just reading the displays.

• Location: 12 William Street, Herne Bay CT6 5EJ
• Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00-16:00, Sunday: 11:00-15:00, Closed Mondays (except bank holidays)
• Tickets: Free entry (donations welcome)

5. Browse the Independent Shops on Mortimer Street

Whilst Herne Bay’s high street has the usual chain shops, I much prefer Mortimer Street, which runs parallel to the seafront. This is where you’ll find the independent retailers, little cafés, and shops that give the town its character (and top marks for spotting the old cinema building – now an antique shop!)

There are vintage clothing shops, antique stores, proper greengrocers, and independent bookshops. When I was there last time, I spent ages in a little second-hand bookshop that had an absolutely magnificent collection of local history books. The owner knew everything about the area and pointed me towards several interesting things I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.

I also like the old-fashioned feel of this street – many of the shop fronts have retained their Victorian features, and the whole area feels like it hasn’t been homogenised by modern development.

• Location: Mortimer Street, Herne Bay CT6 5DJ
• Opening Times: Generally 09:00-17:30 Monday-Saturday, some shops closed Sundays

6. Enjoy Fish and Chips at one of the Seafront Chippies

This is exactly what you should do at the seaside, isn’t it? Herne Bay has several fish and chip shops, and honestly, most of them are pretty good. I particularly like getting takeaway and eating it on one of the benches facing the sea – classic British seaside experience.

The best thing about fish and chips here is that the portions are generous and the fish is usually fresh. When I had them last, I went for the traditional cod and chips, and they were cooked perfectly – crispy batter, fluffy chips, not too greasy.

If you want to sit down properly, there are also several fish and chip restaurants along the seafront with sea views. Personally, I prefer the takeaway approach – there’s something rather wonderful about eating with your fingers whilst watching the waves.

• Location: Various locations along Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN
• Opening Times: Generally 11:30-21:00, but it depends on individual shops, Some close earlier in winter
• Cost: Typical meal costs £8-15 per person

7. Visit the Bandstand for Summer Entertainment

The bandstand in the Seafront Gardens is a rather lovely example of Victorian seaside architecture, and during the summer months, it actually gets used for its original purpose – live entertainment.

The bandstand hosts various performances throughout the summer – brass bands, jazz ensembles, community choirs. The schedule changes each year, but you can usually find information at the Clock Tower information point or on local notice boards.

I love how unpretentious these performances are. Nobody’s charging fancy ticket prices or creating exclusive experiences – it’s just free entertainment by the sea, open to everyone.

• Location: Memorial Park, Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN
• Opening Times: Performances generally Sunday afternoons during summer months (May-September)
• Tickets: Usually free

8. Have Ice Cream at Scoops or Makcari’s

You can’t visit the seaside without ice cream, and Herne Bay has two really good options right on the seafront. I usually go to Scoops because they do proper Italian gelato with flavours that change regularly, but Makcari’s is excellent too – they’ve been serving ice cream here since 1950 and they are still family owned and run business.

Mackari’s have two large locations – one right opposite the band stand with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Scoops have also shop at the King’s Hall and since I usually park my car there, I often start sampling the ice-cream there! You can’t go wrong with any flavour, but the salted caramel at Scoops was amazing and Makcari’s does wonderful traditional flavours if you prefer classic vanilla or strawberry.

• Location:

• Scoops: Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JG & King’s Hall
• Makcari’s: 77-78 Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JG & Bandstand area

• Opening Times: Generally 10:00-18:00 daily (extended hours in summer)
• Cost: £3-6 depending on size and flavours

9. See the Amy Johnson Statue

This statue sits quietly in the Memorial Park near the bandstand, and I think it’s rather special. Amy Johnson was a pioneering aviator from Hull who became the first woman to fly solo from Britain to Australia in 1930. The statue commemorates her final flight – she crashed into the Thames Estuary near Herne Bay in 1941 during a wartime ferry mission.

The statue shows her in flying gear, looking out towards the sea where she disappeared.

• Location: Memorial Park, Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN
• Opening Times: Accessible at all times (outdoor statue)

10. Spend Time on Herne Bay Beach

The beach here is predominantly shingle rather than sand, which means it’s less crowded than sandy beaches but equally pleasant in its own way. I actually prefer shingle beaches – they’re cleaner, and there’s something satisfying about the sound of waves moving the pebbles.

At low tide, you’ll find some sandy patches appear, which are great if you’ve got children who want to build sandcastles. The water is generally calm because of how the bay is positioned, making it decent for swimming when the tide’s in.

The beach stretches for miles in both directions from the pier, so you can always find a quiet spot even on busy days. Bring a windbreak if it’s breezy – the Kent coast can be rather fresh even in summer.

• Location: Central Beach, accessible from Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN
• Opening Times: Accessible 24 hours
• Tickets: Free

11. Visit The Vintage Empire Café

This is a proper hidden gem that I discovered last year, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone since. The Vintage Empire Café is exactly what it sounds like – a 1940s-themed café decorated with wartime memorabilia, serving traditional British food in a wonderfully nostalgic setting.

When I visited, I had a full English breakfast served on vintage crockery, surrounded by Union Jack bunting, old radios, and photographs from the war years. The attention to detail is magnificent – even the music playing is period-appropriate. It feels like stepping back in time, but in a charming way rather than gimmicky.

The staff sometimes dress in 1940s clothing, and the whole atmosphere is warm and welcoming. I love how they’ve created something genuinely special without it feeling forced. The tea is served in proper teapots, the cakes are homemade, and everything feels authentic.

• Location: 98 Mortimer Street, Herne Bay CT6 5DU
• Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday: 09:00-16:00, Sunday: 10:00-15:00, Closed Mondays
• Cost: Breakfast £7-10, Lunch £6-12, Afternoon tea £12-15

12. Catch a Show at The King’s Hall

You’ll find The King’s Hall has a rather unique story because it was originally built as the East Cliff Pavilion back in 1904. This is because it was designed to be a grand concert hall, and it was actually sunk into the cliffside to protect the sea views for the houses behind it—which I think is a pretty clever bit of Victorian planning!

It was renamed in 1913 to honour King Edward VII, and when I visited last time, I could still feel that sense of Edwardian glamour in the architecture. The best thing about its history is how it’s survived as a proper community hub for over a century, hosting everything from tea dances to rock concerts.

Even if you aren’t seeing a show, it’s worth walking up the cliff just to see the building, have an ice-cream or a cup of tea from the kiosk and enjoy the panoramic views across the bay from the terrace. It’s a bit of a local treasure, really.

• Location: Beacon Hill, Herne Bay CT6 6BA
• Opening Times: Box Office: Monday to Friday 10:00-16:00, Event times vary (check the website for performance schedules)
• Tickets: Prices vary by show (typically £10-£30), Many community events are free or low-cost

13. Walk Along the Promenade to Hampton

One of the things I really enjoy about Herne Bay is the long seafront promenade. You can walk for miles along the coast, and I particularly like the stretch from the pier eastwards towards Hampton.

It’s a proper seaside walk – the beach on one side (shingle, mostly), the sea wall protecting little beach huts and gardens on the other. When I walked this last time, I stopped countless times just to look at the view across the Thames Estuary. On clear days, you can see right across to the Isle of Sheppey.

The walk is completely flat, which makes it accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs. You’ll also find several cafés and ice cream spots along the route if you need refreshments. I usually walk to Hampton Pier (a much smaller affair than the main pier) and then loop back – the whole return journey takes about an hour at a leisurely pace.

• Location: Starts at Central Parade, Herne Bay CT6 5JN, heading east
• Opening Times: Accessible 24 hours
• Tickets: Free

14. Visit Hampton Pier and the Neptune’s Arm

At the eastern end of the promenade, you’ll find Hampton Pier – or rather, what remains of it. This little pier is much shorter than the main Herne Bay pier, but it has its own charm. The pub here, the Neptune’s Arm, sits right at the pier entrance, and I think it’s a great spot for a drink with a view.

You’ll find that Hampton Pier has a story that’s a bit more mysterious than the main pier, and I think it’s fascinating because it’s essentially all that’s left of a “lost” village. This is because back in the 1860s, the Hampton-on-Sea Oyster Company built the pier to serve their oyster fishery and a little tramway that ran down to the water.

The reality is that the sea was just too powerful, and severe coastal erosion eventually claimed the entire settlement of Hampton-on-Sea, which means the pier we see today—often called the Neptune’s Arm—is just a small fragment of what was originally there.

When I visited last time, I sat outside with a pint and watched the sun setting over the water. The pub has that proper seaside feel – slightly weathered, unpretentious, the kind of place where locals actually drink rather than just tourists.

The pier itself is free to walk, and it’s particularly nice at high tide when the water comes right up to the railings. There are often people fishing off the end, and I always enjoy watching the birds diving for scraps.

• Location: Lower Hampton, Herne Bay CT6 8HD
• Opening Times: Pier: Accessible 24 hours, Neptune’s Arm pub: Generally 11:00-23:00 (varies)
• Tickets: Free to walk the pier, Pub prices standard

15. Walk to Reculver Towers and Roman Fort

This is slightly outside Herne Bay itself, but you can actually walk there along the coastal path, and it’s absolutely worth doing. The Reculver Towers are the remains of a 12th-century church that sits dramatically on the clifftop, and I think they’re one of the most atmospheric historical sites in Kent.

The walk from Herne Bay takes about an hour along the coastal path, and when I did it last, the views were magnificent. You’re walking along the top of the cliffs (nothing too dramatic – they’re not high), with the sea on one side and open countryside on the other.

The towers themselves have been partially ruined for centuries, but that’s part of their appeal. There’s also a Roman fort here – Reculver was once a significant Roman settlement, and you can still see the outline of the fort walls.

• Location: Reculver Road, Herne Bay CT6 6SS (about 3 miles east of Herne Bay centre)
• Opening Times: Site accessible at all times, Cafe & Information: Generally 10:00-17:00 April-September (weekends only in winter)
• Tickets: Free to access the site and towers, Car park charges apply if driving

16. Walk or Cycle the Oyster Bay Trail

I challenge you to tackle at least a section of this trail because the views are simply magnificent. You’ll find the Oyster Bay Trail follows the coastline for about five miles, connecting Herne Bay to Whitstable. It’s almost entirely flat and traffic-free, which means it’s absolutely fine for a relaxed family bike ride or a long, breezy walk.

When I walked this last time, I started at the pier and headed west. The best thing about it is the sense of space; you have the sea on one side and the coastal marshes on the other. Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but if you go late in the afternoon, you can watch the sunset over the Swale, and it’s totally my favourite thing to do to end a day in Kent.

• Location: Starts at Herne Bay Pier, Central Parade, CT6 5JN (heading west towards Whitstable)
• Opening Times: Accessible 24 hours

My favourite things to see nearby

If you have done all your sight seeing in Herne Bay, you can also explore my favourite places just outside the town. You’ll find the village of Herne is only about a mile and a half inland, and it’s a lovely, quiet place to wander. The best thing about it is the Herne Mill, a beautiful old smock mill, where you can learn all about milling flour and see the mill in action during open days.

If you fancy seeing some wildlife, Wildwood Discovery Park is just under three miles away in Herne Common and you can see bisons or wolves here amongst other animals.

You can also explore Bishopstone Glen, which is a little over two miles east along the coast. It’s a hidden valley with crumbling cliffs and wild paths that feel worlds away from the busy town centre.

And of course, just three miles along the coastal path following the Saxon Shore Way, you’ll find the Reculver Towers. These are magnificent 12th-century ruins that look like they are slowly moving away from the land and into the sea, and I think it’s fun to visit just for the atmosphere!

This blog post was originally published on 7 March 2026 and last updated on 7 March 2026