Secret Broadstairs

The seaside town of Broadstairs lies on the Isle of Thanet in East Kent. Situated on the cliffs above the bay, the town gained its name from the stairs cut into the chalk cliffs down to the shore. Fishing and smuggling were the mainstays of Broadstairs until much-improved transport connections to London in the 19th century led to the development of Broadstairs as a modern seaside resort but which has retained its historical character. In this book author Andy Bull delves into the fascinating history of Broadstairs, from characters associated with the town such as the scandalous 18th century politician Charles Fox, to Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Oscar Wilde as well as the creators of Billy Bunter and the Clangers. The tales of the town include the country’s oldest lighthouse, the smuggler presented to Queen Victoria and the preserved German shell hole in the house of the proprietor of the Daily Mail and Dailly Mirror which was intended for Lord Northcliffe himself, and many more remarkable stories.Secret Broadstairs explores the less well-known episodes and characters in the history of Broadstairs through the years. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and tucked away or disappeared historical buildings and locations, it will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this seaside town in Kent.