The Isle of Thanet is a peninsula in the easternmost part of Kent. It is a popular tourist destination with 4.6 million people visiting the area in 2023.
Though it is part of Kent that wasn’t always the case. The pretty landform used to be separated by the 600-metre-wide Wantsum Channel, making it its own island.
The body of water connected the English Channel and the Thames Estuary and was a significant shipping route when Britian was part of the Roman Empire right until the late Middle Ages.
It was around 5000BC that the Isle of Thanet formed, following the last glacial period when sea levels rose.
The North Sea encroached on the land which is now the estuary of the River Thames, and southwards to reach the higher land of the North Downs. This left behind an island made of chalk which is the Isle of Thanet.
The sea the broke through river valleys in the North Downs to the South also known as Middle Chalk which is how we have today’s English Channel and the proto-River Stour in Kent was then formed as part of the intervening water, with the River Wanstum completeting it became the Wanstum Channel.
It was between the 12th and 16th centuries that the channel started to gradually close as a result of natural silting and artifical land reclamation and then the new disctrict was named Thanet, after the isle which covered the same area.
Today, the former channel is marshland crossed by drainage ditches, and the exposed chalk cliffs are being worn down by the sea.
However, its story doesn’t end there. Thanet is a thriving seaside resort that welcomes millions of visitors, both daytime and overnight.
The district contains the towns of Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Westgate-on-Sea as well as other villages and has so much to do. The beautiful coastline boasts 16 stunning sandy beaches and bays perfect for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
There are plenty of activities to take part in as well from watersports to the various shopping centres that have a blend of local and national retailers.
The great transport links mean you can enjoy a day trip, short break, or long, jam-packed holiday by the relaxing coast.