Secret Ramsgate

The Kent seaside town of Ramsgate developed as an important port in mediaeval England, associated with the Cinque Port of Sandwich. Close to the continent, its harbour was a major embarkation point for the Napoleonic Wars and during the Dunkirk evacuation in World War 2. In the 19th century Ramsgate became popular as a seaside resort, and was the home of architect A. W. Pugin, who built several buildings in the town, and later Vincent Van Gogh lived and worked as a teacher in Ramsgate. Today Ramsgate is the major fishing port on the Kent Coast and also attracts visitors to its large marina and its beaches.In this book author Andy Bull reveals the hidden history of Ramsgate, from the landing of Roman invasion forces and St Augustine’s mission, Thomas Becket’s links with nearby Sandwich, the famous writers who lived in or regularly visited the town such as Wilkie Collins, Jane Austen, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, to the country’s only Royal Harbour, the secret harbour built at Richborough to transport munitions during World War 1, the site of a camp for refugees from Nazi German and the vast network of tunnels built to shelter 60,000 people during World War 2. With tales of remarkable characters, unusual events and buildings lost or hidden, and fully illustrated with photography, Secret Ramsgate will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of this town in Kent.