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Reculver

Reculver photos (8 available)

Old photo of Reculver

Reculver maps (2 available)

Old map of Reculver

Reculver books (30 available)

Reculver memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Kent below.

Kent memories

pear tree farm

My dads family the "Boltons" lived on a farm called Pear Tree Farm. I thought from memory they owned it but now after research I think they just lived there as workers? I remember walking down a country lane not far from there and buying some wonderful flavoured ice creams such as "Tutty Frutie". I have alot of fond memories of Hernbay....
A memory of Herne Bay contributed by hazel bolton

The Pier

Herne Bay, from the Pier 1897

I roller skated in the old pavilion - you could see the sea through the gaps in the floor boards!!
My brother bribed me to behave by the promise of an ice cream bought from the cafe at the end of the pier.
A memory of Herne Bay contributed by Jean Dale

Send in the clowns!!

Herne Bay, the Punch and Judy Show c1955

I remember being taken to see a clown here. I think his name might have been Coco. It is lovely that there are still children's entertainments in exactly the same spot!  It's a roundabout and trampolines now though.
A memory of Herne Bay contributed by Jean Dale

Memories of good times

Swalecliffe, Seaview Holiday Camp c1955

Coming across this picture sparked memories of such happy times I had as as a child spending my summer holidays in a chalet at Seaview. It was not unusual to stay for four or more weeks in one of the chalets and spend practically every waking hour being on the beach or walking into either Whitstable or Herne Bay. I remember rummaging along the beach finding bits of pottery from the houses that fell into the sea where the cliffs had been eroded towards Herne Bay, and the time British Rail sent our luggage to Chesterfield in Derbyshire only to be located some fortnight later. Even the mud at low tide had its attraction and the huge shallow pools left behind ...read more here
A memory of Swalecliffe contributed by Roger Steer

Extracts From Reculver & Kent books

Reculver, Towers 1892

Known as ‘The Sisters’, the towers are all that remain of St Mary’s Church - it was blown up in 1809 to stop it falling into the sea. The towers were purchased by Trinity House in 1810 as an aid to navigation. From 1925 the towers were looked after by the Ministry of Works, and a lot of money was spent to prevent them falling into the sea.
An extract from from"Around the Kent Coast".

Reculver, the Tower c1950

Reculver is a popular little seaside town on the coast between the Thanet resorts and Herne Bay. There was once a Roman Saxon Shore Fort here. Its bricks were later used to build the towers we see here, known locally as the ‘two sisters’ (see Davington). The towers are open to the public, and there is a small interpretation centre about the history and natural history of the area. The pub is the King Ethelbert; it is still there today, though it is now surrounded by amusement arcades, tea and burger vans and a car park.
An extract from from"Villages of Kent Photographic Memories".

Reculver, the Beach c1955

In March 1943, one mile to the east of Reculver Towers was cordoned off, and on 11 April Wing Commander Guy Gibson tested the Barnes Wallis ‘bouncing bomb’ in Reculver Bay. The Twin Towers were chosen as the release point for the bombs, as they resembled the towers at the Mohne and Eder dams in Germany. The dams were successfully attacked by Gibson and 617 Squadron on 16 May 1943, using the Barnes Wallis ‘bouncing bomb’ tested at Reculver. Wing Commander Gibson won the Victoria Cross following the raid.
An extract from from"Around the Kent Coast".

Reculver, the Tower c1955

It is believed that in AD43 the Romans under Emperor Claudius set up a small initial camp at Reculver because of its safe harbour. The Romans built a fortress here called Regulbium, and in the 12th century a church was built inside the fortress.
An extract from from"Around the Kent Coast".

Reculver, the King Ethelbert Public House c1955

The name of this Whitbread pub, the King Ethelbert, is in remembrance of the Saxon king who ruled Kent from AD560-616. Part of the pub is built on an old Roman fort. Nearby there is a caravan site.
An extract from from"Around the Kent Coast".