A warm welcome to The Ramsgate Society’s website
Since 1964, we’ve been dedicated to preserving and enhancing Ramsgate’s unique heritage and environment.
Here, you’ll find information about our ongoing projects, upcoming events, and ways to get involved in our community initiatives.
Explore our latest news, delve into Ramsgate’s rich history, and discover how you can contribute to making our town a better place for all.
Join us in celebrating and safeguarding the beauty and character of Ramsgate!
If you have any difficulties or questions, please use the ‘Contact’ page to get in touch.
Featured News
Renovation of the Smeaton Dry Dock
We are recommending that some of the outstanding Levelling Up Fund money is spent on renovating Smeaton’s Dry Dock. This post includes links to support material.
Latest Post
More on the Ramsgate Tunnels Barcelona Connection
We follow up on the very successful talk last November and include more information from Garry Saunders on the Barcelona connection with Ramsgate Tunnels.
Next Event
March Talk: Kathryn Ferry on Seaside Architecture
The popular seaside historian comes to Ramsgate to expand on her latest book on Seaside Architecture
Read our latest Ramsgate Society newsletter below
News and Projects
‘Full Circle’ Tall Ships to arrive in Ramsgate Early April
Two tall ships will be in harbour April 4th. Find out why they are here and what is so special about them
Renovation of the Smeaton Dry Dock
We are recommending that some of the outstanding Levelling Up Fund money is spent on renovating Smeaton’s Dry Dock. This post includes links to support material.
Planning Starts for 2026 Heritage Open Days
Planning has now started for 2026 Heritage Open days with Elizabeth Seward as our new HOD coordinator
The Sea Link Proposal and the Pegwell Bay Derelict Hoverport
Phil Shotton shares his submission opposing the inclusion of the old Hoverport site as part of the Sea Link development
We Support the Isle of Culture Bid
The Ramsgate Society is supporting the bid for Thanet to become the next City of Culture.
A Bookish Response to January’s Talk
Get to know about the secondhand bookshop at Monkton Nature Reserve
Can you help identify new Blue Plaque candidates?
Can you help us identify worthy candidates for Ramsgate Society Blue Plaques? We invite nominations on a one page form by January 31st.
New Blue Plaque for Mary Woolstonecraft Shelley
A new blue plaque for November to commemorate Mary Godwin who, as a girl, spent time at school in Ramsgate and later married Percy Bysshe Shelley and achieved fame as the author of the novel Frankenstein.
Dame Janet Stancomb-Wills and the ‘Destiny’ Memorial
Plans are afoot to renovate our ‘Peace Memorial” but before we report on this, Brian Daubney reminds us of both the importance of the statue and of its benefactor.
Bags of Rubbish from the Jackie Baker’s Litter Pick
As always, our litter picks, tidy up wherever they go and our last one produced more than just the bags of rubbish.
More from Paul Lewis on Wilkie Collins
Paul Lewis has followed up his talk in 2023 with access to a further presentation on Wilkie Collins – a regular visitor to Ramsgate and close friend of Charles Dickens.
Remembering our Patron, Sir Terry Farrell
John Walker reflects on the recent death of Ramsgate Society Patron, Sir Terry Farrell
Update on the Ramsgate Harbour Slipway Perimeter Display Project
The display outside the slipway has now been extended to include every vessel that made the crossing to Dunkirk in the 85th Anniversary Commemoration.
Feedback from Clive Aslet’s September Talk on Ten Secrets about Ramsgate
As our September talk was also a Heritage Open Day event we were required to collect audience reactions – click to find out what they said.
New Blue Plaque addition for Spencer Gore
Our latest blue plaque honours Spencer Gore, the first ever male tennis champion at Wimbledon who sadly died at the Granville Hotel in 1906.
Ramsgate Historic Quarter Heritage Building Skills Training 2025
Details of a course that is the first of a series of workshops to encourage a wider understanding of traditional skills used in the heritage conservation sector.
Adding Your View on Neighbourhood Additional Funding Priorities
TDC is inviting local people to share their thoughts on priorities for allocating new money from a new Government grant. The survey is open until Monday 8 September 2025.
Ramsgate Harbour Slipway Perimeter Display Project
An overview of the Slipway Project to commemorate the role of the Little Ships at Dunkirk from conception to future plans.
Lighting Up The Clock House
After all the work of our volunteers inside the Clock House it was an extra pleasure to have the outside of the building play a major role in the Dunkirk Little Ships celebration.
Thanet Heritage Open Day Festival 2025
We continue to part fund and help organise this annual event which means you can visit many heritage sites in Thanet for free. It runs this year from September 12th to 21st