Living in Ramsgate

The community spirit in Ramsgate is strong, shaped by a history of maritime activity and a tradition of welcoming new arrivals. The town has an active calendar of community-led festivals, markets, and cultural celebrations, including the well-attended Ramsgate Festival of Sound and Harbour Carnival. Art and heritage trail walks highlight the area’s creative streak.

Residents enjoy access to green spaces such as King George VI Memorial Park, the Italianate Glasshouse, and cliff-top walks towards Broadstairs. Local groups and charities offer volunteering and social opportunities, with activities regularly hosted at community centres and libraries. The bustling weekly markets and craft fairs provide a focal point for meeting neighbours and supporting local businesses, giving the area a genuine sense of belonging.

Safety and crime rates in Ramsgate have seen fluctuations in recent years, reflecting broader national and regional trends. Like many seaside towns, the centre can experience periods of increased activity, particularly during tourist seasons, but many residential areas are considered peaceful and community-oriented. Local policing teams actively engage with the community and run neighbourhood watch schemes to foster trust and visibility.

Thanet District Council, in partnership with Kent Police, has invested in CCTV coverage, public safety campaigns, and targeted regeneration projects around the harbour and high street areas. Initiatives promoting evening safety and youth engagement have also been introduced, supporting a steady improvement in perceptions of crime. Individual neighbourhoods such as Pegwell and Westcliff are particularly noted for their quiet streets and lower reported crime rates.

Parking in Ramsgate is generally manageable, though it can become competitive during the summer months or when large events take place on the seafront. On-street parking is available in most residential areas, with some requiring resident permits. Public car parks are located near the harbour, railway station, and main shopping streets, offering short- and long-stay options.

The road network is well developed, with the A299 (Thanet Way) serving as the main route out of Ramsgate to the rest of Kent and the M2. Commuting by car to nearby towns is straightforward, though routes can become congested during peak holiday times.

Driving distances to nearby towns:

• Margate – approx. 15 minutes via A255 (5 miles)
• Canterbury – approx. 35 minutes via A299 (20 miles)
• Dover – approx. 35 minutes via A256 (21 miles)
• Ashford – approx. 50 minutes via M20/A256 (37 miles)

Ramsgate is well known for its eclectic mix of independent cafes, pubs, restaurants, and traditional fish and chip shops along the seafront. The Royal Harbour and surrounding waterfront areas host some standout venues offering locally sourced seafood and seasonal menus. The town has a growing reputation for artisan bakeries, microbreweries, and farm-to-table dining experiences.

Popular spots include the Belgian Café, Queen Charlotte, and The Falstaff, each with its own distinct atmosphere. The Granville Theatre provides entertainment ranging from live music to film nights, while bars and pubs around the marina draw lively weekend crowds. Despite the availability of late night options, Ramsgate's nightlife tends to be more relaxed and sociable than raucous, making it appealing to a broad range of ages.

School quality: Ramsgate is served by several highly regarded primary and secondary schools, with good access to grammar and independent options in the Thanet area.

Parks and green space: Families can take advantage of extensive parks, the long sandy beach, and accessible coastal paths which are ideal for outdoor play and weekends by the sea.

Childcare: Numerous nurseries and after-school clubs are available, catering to working parents and providing a range of early years options.

Safety: While the town centre can get busy, residential neighbourhoods are considered safe and welcoming for children, supported by visible community policing initiatives.

Family activities: The local leisure centre, museums, adventure golf, and regular family-oriented events such as the beach festivals ensure plenty for all ages to enjoy.

Ramsgate is a very pet-friendly town, with plenty of coastal and countryside walks on offer. The sandy bays and cliff paths are popular for dog walking, especially Pegwell Bay Country Park, which offers open space for off-lead exercise and access to nature reserves supporting local wildlife.

There are numerous local vets, pet shops, and dog-friendly cafes dotted throughout the town, ensuring all necessary amenities for pet owners are easily accessible. The general community attitude is welcoming to pets in housing and public places, with many rental options permitting animals and regular meet-ups for dog owners along the seafront.

Ramsgate is well connected by both rail and road, making it an accessible location for residents and visitors alike. Ramsgate railway station offers direct services to London St Pancras International via High Speed 1, reaching the capital in around 75 minutes. There are also direct trains to London Victoria and Charing Cross, as well as services throughout Kent.

The town is served by major roads including the A299 Thanet Way, which links to the M2 motorway, providing road access to Canterbury, Medway, and London. Local and regional bus networks connect Ramsgate to Thanet's other main towns, Margate and Broadstairs, as well as to Sandwich, Deal, and Dover.

Local commute times to key destinations:

• London St Pancras International – approx. 1hr 15min by train
• Canterbury – approx. 25min by train or road
• Margate – approx. 10min by train
• Dover – approx. 40min by train
• London Gatwick Airport – approx. 1hr 45min by road

For international travel, the closest airports are London Gatwick and London City, both reachable within two hours by car or train. The nearby Port of Dover provides ferry links to continental Europe, broadening Ramsgate's travel options.

Ramsgate offers a range of educational options, catering to families at all stages. There is a strong presence of both state and independent schools in the town, complemented by further and higher education institutions nearby.

Primary Schools:

Chilton Primary School is well-regarded for its broad and engaging curriculum (Ofsted rated 'Good', November 2022). St Ethelbert's Catholic Primary School has a strong community focus (Ofsted rated 'Good', November 2021). Ramsgate Arts Primary School specialises in a creative and inclusive approach to learning. Newington Community Primary is also popular with local families (Ofsted rated 'Outstanding', October 2017).

Secondary Schools:

Royal Harbour Academy offers secondary education with a range of academic and vocational subjects. Clarendon House Grammar School in neighbouring Broadstairs is highly respected (Ofsted rated 'Outstanding', January 2016). Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is another top performer in the Thanet area (Ofsted rated 'Good', October 2018).

Colleges & Sixth Forms:

East Kent College's Broadstairs campus is within easy reach, providing further education, A-levels, and vocational courses. The local sixth forms, such as those at Chatham & Clarendon, offer a broad selection of post-16 options.

Universities:

The University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University are both accessible in nearby Canterbury, offering undergraduate and postgraduate study across a variety of disciplines, and regularly attracting students from across the region.