Broadstairs Things to Do

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I know the reader may find it odd to find a tip about somewhere to obtain a meal in the things to do section rather than the restaurant section, so allow me to explain. I work on the principle that anywhere with a seating area goes in the restaurant group and takeaways go here on the principle they hardly qualify as restaurants.

Now we have got the logistics out of the way, let me tell you about the Lucky House in Clarendon Road. Because of it's location it is very much a locals sort of a place being well off the tourist route and I have been eating here for many years with great results. The interior decor, as you can see, is a pretty garish pink but don't let that put you off, the food really is rather good. There is the usual selection on offer at about normal prices. I have eaten other things but I am rather fond of sweet and sour pork balls and rice and tend to return to that regularly.

There is a delivery service withing three miles for orders of a certain size and the premises are open Monday to Sunday (closed Tuesday) from 1700 - 2300 and additionally Wednesday to Saturday from 1200 - 1400, although there is no delivery service lunchtime.

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Readers of my pages know that I like a drink now and again and I have got a great fondness for British pubs for which I make no apology. I had just walked to the nearby Westwood Cross shopping centre which is a fair old walk from Broadstairs especially on a warm August day and this, coupled with my nearly pathological hatred of shopping centres, meant I was in need of a quick drink when I stumbled upon the Star Inn.

I was greeted by a very friendly young lady behind the bar and settled down to calm my frayed nerves with a pint of Strongbow cider. A quick look round showed that meals were served although I did not dine albeit that they looked very good. The building is 18th century and is a typical old style country pub although now hardly in the country.

They do have occasional music nights and indeed, your humble correspondent may even be appearing here at some point in the future, having left his business card for perusal!

To the rear there is a delightful garden and a covered smoking area with a lovely old pot bellied stove which must be much appreciated on a cold winter's evening. the Star is run by a very convivial Greek gentleman with whom I conversed for a while.

All in all a very pleasant little pub. You may not particularly want to search it out as it is a bit out of the way but, if you are in the area, it is well worth a visit.

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I first discovered this place when I played a gig there many years ago, and have since returned many times. It is a simple, no-nonsense locals pub, which is far enough off the beaten track to avoid most of the summer tourist rush. Having said that, it's only about five minutes walk from the main street. If you want a decent pint in pleasant surroundings, this could well be the place for you.

If you are wondering about the slightly unusual name, Wrotham is a village in Kent and there are at least three different pronounciations of it!

I should also mention that the Wrotham is an abolute hub of musical activity in the town, not just during Folk Week when it is permanently full of bands, song and music sessions and general merriment, but all throughout the year. Started by the previous manager Jenny and continued by the present incumbent Jackie (both delightful ladies) there are regular live bands encompassing a range of musical styles so there is something for everybody. Full details of the music are available at

http://www.broadstairslive.co.uk/

I know local musicians are very appreciative of such a supportive place to play and a few local acts have had their first break here.

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I have spoken at length on my Broadstairs pages about the wonderful Folk Week but there is a noew kid on the Broadstairs things to do block. I was in Broadstairs over the last weekend in September 2011 and was delighted to discover tyhe Food Festival. Readers of my pages will know that I adore food, so to have a food festival in one of my favourite places on Earth was really something of a dream for me.

The Festival is endorsed by the celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, who trained at Thanet College in the town, which must say something about the standard of the place.

Kent is known as the Garden of England and is famed for it's fruit, particularly apples which leads to the production of some excellent cider, another favourite thing of mine. The range of produce was staggering with over 120 stalls representing just about every cuisine imaginable. As well as a lot of excellent local food, there was Italian, Mexican, Portuguese, German, Rusiian, the list goes on. The presence of several beer / cider tents helped the whole thing along nicely.

Various cookery demonstrations were arranged and, all told, it was a great success, especially considering it is only in it's third year. I thoroughly recommend you make the effort to visit next year of you can.

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I know I keep going on about it, but I make no apologies. Heading towards it's 50th year, the festival just seems to get bigger and better every year.

I know many of you will probably think, "I don't like folk music, I'm not going to that", but I can assure you, there is really something for everyone. There are torchlight processions, fireworks, circus displays, morris dancers (see the pictures), various world musicians, blues gigs etc. etc. etc. There probably isn't an area of artistic endeavour that isn't represented somewhere during the week.

I have had many friends who are not at all into folk music who, once persuaded, return every year purely for the atmosphere, or craic as the Irish would say.

Just a word of warning, there is not a bed to be had in the town that week. You really need to book about ten months in advance to have any chance.

If you come in 2011, look me up - I'm already booked!

go to the beach. Unodubtedly, a lot of the popularity of the town was built upon the beaches, which are still popular with day trippers and longer term visitors. Actually, the whole coast here is full of bays, which were home to smugglers for many centuries.
Broadstairs is actually built around seven bays, of which the most central and famous is Viking Bay, apparently so named because the Vikings landed there in 1949! Actually, a replica longboat, rowed across the North Sea, landed there, but it makes for a romantic name, I think.

The beach, in summer, has traditional kids entertainment like Punch and Judy, and also trampolines, a bouncy castle and other attractions. As popular beaches go, it's very clean.

If you don't fancy walking down to the harbour and along, there is a lift from the Promenade.

The 2005 festival runs from Saturday 18th June until Sunday 26th June inclusive. There will be a host of events including the festival play which this year is Great Expectations.

Follow in Charles Dickens' footsteps by coming to Broadstairs, which he visited between 1837 and 1859. See the delights of the town which he named "Our English Watering Place".

[b]2008 Broadstairs Dickens Festival

The 2008 Broadstairs Dickens Festival runs from Thursday 19th June to Sunday 22th June inclusive
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Once the home of Miss Mary Pearson Strong, on whom Charles Dickens based much of the character of Miss Betsey Trotwood in his novel David Copperfield, this building has been adapted as a museum to commemorate the novelist's association with the town of Broadstairs.

The parlour is refurbished as described by Dickens and illustrated by H. K. Browne (Phiz). Some of the author's own letters and memorabilia are on display. Around the house there are fascinating old prints of local and Dickensian interest as well as costumes and Victoriana.