insideKENT Magazine Issue 22 - January 2014 | Page 95
Location: Margate to Broadstairs
Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Time: Allow 3 hours
Terrain: Surface paths along entire route with drop kerbs and tactile paving at all crossings
OS Explorer Map: 150
Parking: At Broadstairs and Margate
Refreshments & facilities: Refreshments and facilities are available along the route
Public Transport: For local bus and train services in Kent, contact Traveline tel: 0870 6082608, www.traveline.org.uk
Formerly a magnet for graffiti, the footbridge over
the railway is now a spray can mural of Dickens
characters and local landmarks. With the aid of
Network Rail and the Thanet Community safety
Partnership, local youngsters produced this
unique splash of artwork over a Tuner inspired
background.
The historic village of St Peter’s contains 24
Dickens inspired mosaic panels. Once again
these bright panels were created by local school
children from Upton Junior School with the help
of Martin Cheek. Lurking among the panels you’ll
find representations of the infamous Bill Sykes,
Scrooge, Fagin and Magwitch.
Crampton Tower Museum rises ahead, a reminder
of another famous Thanet persona. The museum
commemorates the life and works of Thomas
Russell Crampton, an engineer and former
Broadstairs resident and its unique structure was
designed by the man himself for his own water
company.
The Dickens House museum was owned by Mary
Pearson Strong when Dickens was a visitor to
Broadstairs and, just as Turner was inspired by
the landscape of Margate, Dickens based the
character of Betsey Trotwood in David Copperfield
on Mary. The house today contains a wealth of
Dickens memorabilia, the perfect end to your trail
of these creative giants. Explore the museum
and then saunter along the seafront, taking in
views and the nostalgic atmosphere of
Broadstairs.
Your final stop is as fitting an ending to the trail
as the Turner Contemporary was a starting point.
To find out about other walks in Kent or for information on cycling,
riding and country parks in Kent, visit www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent.
Follow @explorekent on Twitter.
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