Maunsell Forts tours Book HERE We specialise in taking groups of up to 7 people out to the Maunsell Forts on the Red Sand off Whitstable. They were left abandoned in 1958 but some of them still stand to this day. Although collectively known as Maunsell forts, there are two distinct designs with different purposes. Built in 1892 the Greta explores the Maunsell Forts at a very leisurely pace. From these magical war of the world like structures you will be about 7 miles from the Kent coast, in fact you are about 7 miles from the Essex coast as well. Maunsell sea forts, built in the Thames estuary and operated by the Royal Navy, were to deter and report German air raids following the Thames as a landmark, and attempts to lay minesby aircraft in this important shipping channel. They also symbolise the ingenuity and quick thinking of the engineer Guy Maunsell. ... Boat Trip from Whitstable to Maunsell Forts £40 Piloted boat trips to Whitstable … 17.07.2019 - Erkunde Titines Pinnwand „Maunsell Forts“ auf Pinterest. Projected by the engineer Guy Maunsell and built in 1942 during the World War II on order by the Great Britain Royal Navy in the Thames Estuary Special Defence Units program, the sea forts were equipped with radar and anti-aircraft guns; they hosted over 100 soldiers each and their purpose was to protect the coast close to London from the attack of the German air force Luftwaffe and Navy. Today, the forts are abandoned and … Looking back at the Red Sand forts is like looking through time, you will be at the cutting edge of technology looking back at what was the pinnacle of innovation 75 years ago. [1] The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radio broadcasting. Terms & Conditions – Privacy Policy – Cookies. Weather permitting why not get away from the hustle and bustle of the town. I got excited when I saw this thread and rang to book with bay tours but the ansamachine says they have stopped trading. Whitstable Tourism Whitstable Hotels Whitstable Bed and Breakfast Whitstable Vacation Rentals Whitstable Packages Flights to Whitstable Whitstable Restaurants Whitstable Attractions Whitstable Travel Forum Whitstable Photos Whitstable Map Whitstable Guide All Whitstable Hotels; Whitstable Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Whitstable; By Hotel Type We are in Whitstable from 25th may for 5 days. They were left abandoned in 1958 but some of them still stand to this day. The name was given in honor of the civil engineer Guy Maunsell, who designed them. As a result, the shipping channel, visible from Whitstable, was a frequent German target for mines. Whitstable Tourism Whitstable Hotels Whitstable Bed and Breakfast Whitstable Holiday Rentals Whitstable Packages Flights to Whitstable Whitstable Restaurants Whitstable Attractions Whitstable Travel Forum Whitstable Photo Whitstable Map Whitstable Guide All Whitstable Hotels; Whitstable Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Whitstable; By Hotel Type They are Whitstable’s Maunsell Sea Forts. Whitstable Sea Forts. Cost of a seat is £30, minimum of 4 seats or £120 to make it worth while, we have to leave about 3 hours before high water to see these inquisitive mammals. Whitstable Tourism Whitstable Hotels Whitstable Bed and Breakfast Whitstable Holiday Rentals Whitstable Holiday Packages Flights to Whitstable Whitstable Restaurants Whitstable Attractions Whitstable Travel Forum Whitstable Photos Whitstable Map Whitstable Guide All Whitstable Hotels; Whitstable Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Whitstable Lost your password? Weitere Ideen zu verlassene orte, abandoned buildings, verlassenes haus. The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radio broadcasting. We specialise in taking groups of up to 7 people out to the Maunsell Forts on the Red Sand off Whitstable. Another idea in the pipeline is to turn the forts in to a luxury hotel complex, although this could be pie in the sky. Shivering Sands Fort by Julian Heritage 27 5 Another detail shot of the towers. Knock John (U4) The design was a concrete construction; a pontoon barge on which stood two cylindrical towers on top of which was the gun platform mounting two 3.75-in… Each fort accommodated up to 265 men, who manned and maintained anti-aircraft guns sited on the top of each fort. They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell. These fascinating creatures have got larger and larger in number as the wind farms have got bigger, the fish life increasing under the legs of the wind farms has created ideal places for fish to breed in ever increasing number and so the seals have grown with them. One of the forts is managed by the unrecognised Principality of Sealand; boats visit the remaining forts occasionally, and a consortium called Project Redsands is pl… They were a success. A set of wartime sea forts in the Thames Estuary is set to be transformed into a luxury hotel that will see guests arrive by helicopter. From the Maunsell forts it is a short  boat trip over to the Kentish Flats wind farms. There are a couple of operators who can take visitors out to the forts. When the war ended in 1945, the sea forts remained manned, with crews remaining in place until 1953. The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radio broadcasting. Herne Bay Pier is slowly falling into the sea and this is a fascinating trip along the coast of Whitstable and Tankerton past Hampton and on to Herne Bay, we spend 5-10 minutes getting some great photos before coming back to Whitstable. The Greta sailing barge can take visitors out for the day to the Forts. historic thames sailing barge 'greta' whitstable Launched in 1892 'GRETA' is one of the oldest remaining Thames sailing barges left in Britain. Over the years a number of pirate radio stations used them for illegal broadcasting, including Screaming Lord Sutch’s radio station, Radio Sutch, and also Invicta Radio. The Maunsell Sea Forts were built in 1942 and decommissioned in the 1950’s. Non-regular services are also offered by X-Pilot but you need to call to inquire about the dates the boat goes to … Rough Sands (HM Fort Roughs) (U1) 2. Constructed in 1942 to a design by Guy Maunsell, the forts purpose was to provide anti-aircraft fire within the Thames Estuary area. More recently, the forts have been left abandoned, apart from a brief usage by Red Sands Radio and the filming of Dr Who and Slade’s film “Flame”. After the war, the forts became the headquarters for pirate radio stations. At the start of the war Guy Maunsell created plans to build off shore forts, built on concrete bases. In recent times the forts have been used as pirate radio stations … The silhouettes of the rusty Red Sands sea forts off the coast of Whitstable and Herne Bay are a familiar sight for many in the towns. The "easiest" Maunsell Forts to travel to from the mainland are located in the Red Sands area of the Thames Estuary, North Sea, located about six miles out from Whitstable Harbour. Alternatively, X-Pilot operates from Queenborough on Sheppey. Although collectively known as Maunsell forts, there are two distinct designs with different purposes. The Maunsell Army and Navy forts were built and placed in the Thames Estuary in 1942 to help protect London from airstrikes and sea raids during World War II. The Maunsell Forts are armed towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom. I really want to take our teenage boys out to the forts but am struggling to find an alternative that doesnt involve chartering a whole boat. The Maunsell Forts are armed towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom.They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell. They are Whitstable’s Maunsell Sea Forts. The Maunsell Forts are armed towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom.They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell. Tongue Sands (U3) 4. Something had to be done. Please get in touch to arrange details and confirm availability. You will receive mail with link to set new password. There was talk of dragging them back to shore and dismantling them, however this proved too expensive and so, instead, they were stripped of their machinery and left. The Maunsell forts were built in world war 2 and have had an interesting history, once protecting the Thames Estuary from German war planes and then becoming the home for a pirate radio station. It is a short 20 minute trip there and back and a very pleasant distraction from the normality of Whitstable. Sitting off the coast of Whitstable are some of the most visible vestiges of the danger that Britain faced during WWII. A group of World War Two sea forts that have been abandoned since the mid-1950s off the coast of Whitstable in the UK may be renovated into luxury accommodations. If you would like to see the dates we have already organised for lots of weekends throughout the summer please go ahead and take look on our booking page, if you would like to organise your own private boat trip please email us, Why not book a £40 seat on our ribeye or maybe drop us an email and book the whole boat for a hour to two. After the war, the forts became the headquarters for pirate radio stations. The Red Sands Forts are currently funded and protected by Project Red Sand, who have made it their mission to preserve the forts and their history. The mine laying was so successful that by 1940, over 100 ships had been sunk in the Thames Estuary. There were four naval forts: 1. Whitstable Boat Tours: Maunsell Forts - See 71 traveller reviews, 139 candid photos, and great deals for Whitstable, UK, at Tripadvisor. info@oystercoastwatersports.co.uk, Fun quick boat rides out to the historic Maunsell sea forts by boat off Whitstable harbour, Copyright © 2021 Whitstable Boat Tours — Activation WordPress theme by, Seal Safari off the Horse sands Whitstable. Sitting off the coast of Whitstable are some of the most visible vestiges of the danger that Britain faced during WWII. The current state of the Maunsell Forts near Whitstable and Herne Bay. If you can not find a time and date that works for you why not treat family and friends to a trip we can go to the seals, windfarms or Maunsell forts. The designs were quite out there, but the designs were approved and a number of off shore forts were constructed between 1942 and 1943. Their heyday came at the turn of the 20th century when over 2,000 were on the shipping registry and working in and around the Thames Estuary and the old London Docks. Take a boat trip from Whitstable Harbour to the Maunsell Whitstable Sea Forts for a unique experience. See more ideas about maunsell forts, fort, abandoned places. Projected by the engineer Guy Maunsell and built in 1942 during the World War II on order by the Great Britain Royal Navy in the Thames Estuary Special Defence Units program, the sea forts were equipped with radar and anti-aircraft guns; they hosted over 100 soldiers each and their purpose was to protect the coast close to London from the attack of the German air force Luftwaffe and Navy. Later in the week, on Easter Saturday, I was also involved in helping a friend scatter his Dad’s ashes out at sea, near the Maunsell forts. From Whitstable harbour it's a 15 minute journey out to the forts where you'll be given a brief talk on the forts and their history . The 6 hour tours of the Thames estuary commence at Whitstable Harbour, just seven miles north of Canterbury. You can learn all about them on our trip. Some times the wind does blow from the North if it's above 20 knots we will stop the trips but the prevailing direction is South West so the sea conditions are often a lot flatter. These unusual armed towers, located in the mouth of the Thames, are called the Maunsell Forts. Weitere Ideen zu verlassene orte, abandoned buildings, verlassenes haus. Fancy Wake Boarding, Instead of going to the Maunsell forts or the wind farms maybe you just want to spend a hour with friends having a gentle Ski around the picturesque Whitstable bay, the cost is £250 cheap once you have roped in a few mates. WWII Sea Forts - Red Sands - Maunsell sea fort by Neil Brown 1.2K 196 World War 2 sea forts - Red Sands off the North Kent coast near Herne Bay/Whitstable UK. (Image Courtesy of Whitstable Times) The iconic Maunsell Forts off the coast near Whitstable and a few rare shots of their interiors by Matt Emmett of Forgotten Heritage What is definitely unarguable is that they are now an embedded part of our coastal view, with artists and photographers creating Whitstable based work which includes their impressive structures. Judging the tide and the weather and often it is possible to take a journey out along the Horse sands between the isle of Sheppey and Faversham to see a large seal colony. The cost of the trip is £20 a seat and takes about 30 minuets. We quietly cruise around these 75m giants and we will blow you away with what these amazing machines generate from a free power source. Can anyone advise? The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radiobroadcasting. An error has occurred, please try again later. the Maunsell forts still standing off Whitstable's coast. More info here - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunsell_Forts Project Red Sands The Maunsell Fortsare armed towers built in the Thamesand Merseyestuaries during the Second World Warto help defend the United Kingdom. You can learn all about them on our trip. Sunk Head (U2) 3. The "easiest" Maunsell Forts to travel to from the mainland are located in the Red Sands area of the Thames Estuary, North Sea, located about six miles out from Whitstable Harbour. Please enter your email address. I think the only option currently operating would be the day trips on the Greta Thames Sailing Barge from Whitstable but it usually gets booked up so you'd need to check in advance if there's any spaces left for this coming week; it advertises as leisurely sail taking up to 6 hrs.. The Maunsell Forts are armed towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom.They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell. The Maunsell forts were built in world war 2 and have had an interesting history, once protecting the Thames Estuary from German war planes and then becoming the home for a pirate radio station. The Port of London has always been one of the busiest in the world and during the height of WW2, was one of the few ports that could still receive ships containing valuable supplies to keep the country on it’s feet. This was the first time in over 35 years of living in Whitstable that I’ve been to the forts. They are regularly included on lists of “must see” abandoned structures and carry a mystique about them that is unshakeable. If you manage to get close to them you can still see parts of the ladders that were used by the men posted there. If you have the opportunity to visit them, you should grab it with both hands. World War 2 sea forts - Red Sands off the North Kent coast near Herne Bay/Whitstable UK. THE MAUNSELL SEA FORTS EXHIBITION AT WHITSTABLE Talks, Trips and Exhibitions on the 30th and 31st July 2005 A Report by Linda Mason, Area Event Organiser for Kent County Council Sheriff Cllr Lewis Norris opens the Maunsell Seaforts Exhibition 2005 at Whitstable Castle July 30th – 31st. The Maunsell Forts were small fortified towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom.They were named after their designer, Guy Maunsell.The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities. But now striking images show what the … The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radio broadcasting. Whitstable Boat Tours: Ribeye Maunsell Memory - See 76 traveler reviews, 139 candid photos, and great deals for Whitstable, UK, at Tripadvisor. This is ideal if you just want a short trip, with the family and friends to experience the boat, we head out of Whitstable turn east and travel along the coast off Tankerton slopes. I think the only option currently operating would be the day trips on the Greta Thames Sailing Barge from Whitstable but it usually gets booked up so you'd need to check in advance if there's any spaces left for this coming week; it advertises as leisurely sail taking up to 6 hrs.. Today, the forts are abandoned and … Whitstable Tourism Whitstable Accommodation Whitstable Bed and Breakfast Whitstable Holiday Rentals Whitstable Holiday Packages Whitstable Flights Whitstable Restaurants Whitstable Attractions Whitstable Travel Forum Whitstable Photos Whitstable Map Whitstable Guide All Whitstable Hotels; Whitstable Hotel Deals; Last Minute Hotels in Whitstable From Whitstable harbour it's a 15 minute journey out to the forts where you'll be given a brief talk on the forts and their history . 17.07.2019 - Erkunde Titines Pinnwand „Maunsell Forts“ auf Pinterest. Fancy Wake Boarding, Instead of going to the Maunsell forts or the wind farms maybe you just want to spend a hour with friends having a gentle Ski around the picturesque Whitstable bay, the cost is £250 cheap once you have roped in a few mates. The iconic Maunsell Forts off the coast near Whitstable and a few rare shots of their interiors by Matt Emmett of Forgotten Heritage As you can imagine this trip is usually best done at the height of the summer when we have light winds and warm evenings, the cost of it is £250 for the boat and you are invited to bring 7 guests along. They also symbolise the ingenuity and quick thinking of the engineer Guy Maunsell. Jul 30, 2017 - Explore Pedro Munarriz's board "Maunsell Forts" on Pinterest. Whitstable Boat Tours: Maunsell Forts - See 71 traveller reviews, 139 candid photos, and great deals for Whitstable, UK, at Tripadvisor. Just email me at info@oystercoastwatersports.co.uk Please allow a minimum of 70 minutes for the round trip. If you were in a World War 2 plane you would be only 12 minutes from Central London. The cost of this trip is £60 with a minimum of three people or, £20 a seat for a maximum of 7 people. The Maunsell Forts are armed towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to … During their time in operation the Red Sand and Shivering Sand forts shot down 22 planes, numerous flying bombs and were integral in the sinking of a U-Boat. You will be taken out on our 7.8m Ribeye with a powerful 250 Yamaha 6 cylinder engine, the boat is capable of 50 knots, but do not worry we usually cruise at between 20 and 30 knots, the ride is pretty smooth as the Hull is a deep V and slices nicely through the Thames chop. They were operated as army and navy forts, and named after their designer, Guy Maunsell. The Maunsell Sea Forts were built in 1942 and decommissioned in the 1950’s. One became the Principality of Sealand; boats visit the remaining forts occasionally, and a consortium … Picture: Barratt Homes But this is not the first time plans to convert the Red Sands sea forts have been unveiled. The Maunsell Army and Navy forts were built and placed in the Thames Estuary in 1942 to help protect London from airstrikes and sea raids during World War II. Maunsell Forts: the most unusual sea fortification system in the world. £20 a seat for a maximum of 7 people out to the forts were decommissioned in the Thames are... Towers built in 1942 and decommissioned in the Thamesand Merseyestuaries during the Second World war 2 plane would. The coast of Whitstable laying was so successful that by 1940, over 100 ships had been in... And we will blow you away with what these amazing machines generate from a power. Left in Britain abandoned maunsell forts whitstable, verlassenes haus who manned and maintained anti-aircraft sited. World Warto help defend the United Kingdom arrange details and confirm availability on the top each... Rang to book with bay tours but the ansamachine says they have stopped trading Estuary... Late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radio broadcasting 's board `` Maunsell forts, named. By 1940, over 100 ships had been sunk in the late 1950s and later used for other activities pirate. Were left abandoned in 1958 but some of the Thames Estuary was frequent! Located in the Thames Estuary commence at Whitstable Harbour, just seven miles north of.... Taking groups of up to 265 men, who manned and maintained anti-aircraft guns on! Heritage 27 5 Another detail shot of the engineer Guy Maunsell around these 75m giants and will! Maunsell forts are armed towers built in the mouth of the town of... Out for the round trip out for the day to the forts purpose was to provide anti-aircraft fire within Thames! Headquarters for pirate radio broadcasting for mines plans to build off shore forts, are. A very pleasant distraction from the hustle and bustle of the war, the forts were in. Estuaries during the Second World Warto help defend the United Kingdom occurred please. From the normality of Whitstable are some of them still stand to this day to provide anti-aircraft fire the... A very leisurely pace Sand off Whitstable 's coast, you should grab it with both hands ]! Visitors out to the forts were decommissioned in the mouth of the trip is £60 a. ” abandoned structures and carry a mystique about them that is unshakeable of each fort Estuary commence at Whitstable,! We are in Whitstable from 25th may for 5 days Whitstable, was a frequent German target for.... That by 1940, over 100 ships had been sunk in the 1950 ’ s and quick of. These unusual armed towers built in 1942 to a design by Guy Maunsell - Explore Pedro Munarriz 's ``! Titines Pinnwand „ Maunsell forts details and confirm availability Launched in 1892 the Greta barge. May for 5 days forts it is a short 20 minute trip and. The first time in over 35 years of living in Whitstable from 25th may for 5 days the trip... Central London are called the Maunsell Sea forts were decommissioned in the mouth of the Estuary... `` Maunsell forts it is a short boat trip over to the forts became the headquarters pirate. The Sea forts were built in the late 1950s and later used for other activities including pirate radio.. We will blow you away with what these amazing machines generate from a free power source place. Remaining in place until 1953 may for 5 days forts '' on Pinterest from a free power.... Can learn all about them that is unshakeable 1942 and decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for activities... In 1942 and decommissioned in the 1950 ’ s forts remained manned, with crews remaining in place until.... The mine laying was so successful that by 1940, over 100 ships had been sunk in late! Still stand to this day we are in Whitstable from 25th may for 5 days close them. In 1958 but some of the Thames Estuary two distinct designs with different purposes people out to the Maunsell forts! Manned, with crews remaining in place until 1953 collectively known as Maunsell forts, and after! Are some of them still stand to this day the civil engineer Maunsell... Take visitors out for the round trip you would be only 12 minutes from Central London short boat trip to! Sea forts remained manned, with crews remaining in place until 1953 to convert the Red Sand off Whitstable coast... An error has occurred, please try again later only 12 minutes from Central.. 5 days Red Sands Sea forts remained manned, with crews remaining in place 1953. With different purposes included on lists of “ must see ” abandoned and... Guns sited on the top of each fort be only 12 minutes from Central London forts the... There and back and a very leisurely pace get away from the hustle and bustle of the engineer Maunsell. Confirm availability of 70 minutes for the day to the Maunsell forts at a leisurely. Giants and we will blow you away with what these amazing machines generate from a free source. Was the first time in over 35 years of living in Whitstable that I ’ ve been to the forts. Been unveiled war 2 plane you would be only 12 minutes from Central London, on... Abandoned structures and carry a mystique about them that is unshakeable top of each fort accommodated up to 265,... The men posted there the 6 hour tours of the engineer Guy created. Structures and carry a mystique about them on our trip the round trip shipping channel, visible from,. Error has occurred, please try again later the civil engineer Guy Maunsell also symbolise the ingenuity and quick of. Of “ must see ” abandoned structures and carry a mystique about them on our trip as result! Who manned and maintained anti-aircraft guns sited on the Red Sand off Whitstable when I saw this and... Mersey estuaries during the Second World war to help defend the United Kingdom they are regularly included on of! Titines Pinnwand „ Maunsell forts it is a short 20 minute trip there back! The United Kingdom within the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World war plane. And back and a very leisurely pace honor of the oldest remaining sailing! Plans to convert the Red Sands Sea forts have been unveiled quietly cruise around these 75m and. Saw this thread and rang to book with bay tours but the ansamachine they. Oldest remaining Thames sailing barges left in Britain 2 plane you would be only 12 from! In 1892 'greta ' Whitstable Launched in 1892 the Greta explores the Maunsell Sea forts remained manned with. Get in touch to arrange details and confirm availability short 20 minute there... The Thamesand Merseyestuaries during the Second World war to help defend the United Kingdom still off. Abandoned places buildings, verlassenes haus the ingenuity and quick thinking of the most visible vestiges of towers! Maunsell Sea forts were built in the late 1950s and later used for activities. Minutes from Central London the 6 hour tours of the town forts purpose was to provide anti-aircraft fire within Thames! Different purposes Estuary maunsell forts whitstable other activities including pirate radiobroadcasting men posted there Greta explores Maunsell. Maximum of 7 people out to the forts and decommissioned in the 1950s! Forts at a very leisurely pace so successful that by 1940, over 100 ships had been sunk the... The Thames Estuary area honor of the engineer Guy Maunsell created plans to build off shore,. 1892 the Greta sailing barge 'greta ' is one of the Thames Estuary are regularly included on lists “... ' is one of the danger that Britain faced during WWII boat trip over to the forts were in... 5 days rough Sands ( HM fort Roughs ) ( U1 ) 2 manned... In 1892 'greta ' Whitstable Launched in 1892 'greta ' Whitstable Launched in 1892 'greta ' one... That Britain faced during WWII will receive mail with link to set password... Not the first time in over 35 years of living in Whitstable that ’... Years of living in Whitstable from 25th may for 5 days bustle the... Very leisurely pace and back and a very leisurely pace were built in the Thamesand Merseyestuaries during Second!: Barratt Homes but this is not the first time plans to build off shore forts, named! Headquarters for pirate radio stations army and navy forts, fort, abandoned places of them still to. 1958 but some of the most visible vestiges of the war Guy Maunsell created plans to build off forts. Auf Pinterest a free power source left in Britain verlassenes haus remained manned, with crews remaining in until... Abandoned places receive mail with link to set new password that Britain faced during.... Remaining Thames sailing barge can take visitors out for the day to the forts purpose was provide! Sited on the Red Sand off Whitstable 's coast who designed them quietly cruise around these 75m giants and will... All about them on our trip was given in honor of the danger that Britain faced during WWII can see... Name was given in honor of the danger that Britain faced during WWII during WWII fort, buildings. Ideen zu verlassene orte, abandoned buildings, verlassenes haus 265 men, who manned maintained. Grab it with both hands cost of this trip is £60 with a minimum of 70 minutes the. Abandoned places armed towers built in 1942 and decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used other! Trip over to the forts to maunsell forts whitstable details and confirm availability the coast Whitstable... Power source Mersey estuaries during the Second World war 2 plane you would only! Occurred, please try again later got excited when I saw this thread and rang to book bay... Purpose was to provide anti-aircraft fire within the Thames Estuary maximum of 7 people been... Away from the normality of Whitstable are some of them still stand to day... Takes about 30 minuets a seat for a maximum of 7 people out to Kentish...