Big Brother’s inspirational Margate holiday

Big Brother has gone to Margate for the week and has left its contestants with nothing to do - a clever move, not only to vex the Big Brother household, but also because Margate has so much to offer.

Along with the seaside towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate, Margate has lots of free colourful parades, lively music festivals and popular sailing regattas this summer.

Broadstairs Folk Week is a mix of children’s entertainment with dance and musical performances throughout the town. Free children’s activities take place daily at the Bandstand from August 11th – 18th 2006.

Ramsgate Week will have eight days of yacht and boat races, based at the Royal Harbour. Stalls and evening entertainment continue the nautical atmosphere of the regatta which runs from August 12th – 18th 2006.

Sandcastle competitions, a teddy bears’ picnic and street entertainment will provide a memorable day out at Broadstairs Gala Day on August 23rd 2006.

On September 3rd 2006, Addington Street Fayre will have costumed characters mingling with visitors to bring their traditional event to life. Boating enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy the annual Ramsgate Model Ships Rally, which is a short walk from the Street Fayre.

Throughout the summer there will also be a series of free walks, including a Jane Austen themed Royal Harbour walk in Ramsgate, and for children there will be a tour of St Peter’s Village with a nun, rat catcher and smuggler that depicts life in the rural Broadstairs village. Places can be booked in advance on 01843 871200 or by visiting www.villagetour.co.uk

You can discover the haunts and secret trails of the smugglers who brought their contraband across Thanet’s shores, and hear of Joss Snelling, Thanet’s most notorious smuggler, who avoided capture until his death in 1839, age 98. Walks take place on the first Thursday evening of every month.

There will also be opportunities to join the Kent Wildlife Trust and discover the flowers, birds and insects of beautiful Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. Free guided walks take place on August 6th and August 27th 2006. For more information telephone 01622 662012 or visit www.kentwildlife.org.uk.

A guided tour with the Thanet Coast Project and Kent Wildlife of the marine animals inhabiting Thanet’s 26 miles of coastline will take place on July 29th 2006 from 9.30 at Minnis Bay, Birchington, near Margate or July 31st from 10.30 at West Bay, Westgate, near Margate. For more information, visitwww.thanetcoast.org.uk or call 01843 577672.

There are frequent trains to and from London Victoria and Charing Cross to Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Journey times are approximately one hour fifty minutes from London Victoria and two hours from Charing Cross.

For further information on the region please visit www.tourism.thanet.gov.uk
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