ON THE COAST WITH THE ROCK DOC

Local people will once again be able to step back in time and discover
Thanet’s unique geological history, with the return of the
ever-popular ‘Rock Doc’ walks. 

Organised in partnership by the Thanet Coast project and Rock Doc
Limited, the walks are supported by Dong Energy, and are designed to
help participants to interpret the coastline of North East Kent European
marine sites (NEKEMS). 

Those who take part in the walks are encouraged to use their
imagination and be taken back in time by 80 million years, discovering
how Thanet’s distinctive chalk cliffs and amazing fossils were formed.


The first walk takes place on the evening of Wednesday 6 June at 6.15pm
from the Fayreness Hotel in Broadstairs, and will cover the spectacular
Kingsgate coastline. Further walks are planned for Stone Bay (starting
from Viking Bay), Minnis Bay in Birchington, and Pegwell Bay within the
Sandwich and Pegwell National Nature Reserve, starting from the Viking
ship Hugin in Cliffsend.  

Walks are most suitable for people over 14 years of age, and
participants are advised to wear strong walking shoes and appropriate
clothing for the weather condition on the day.

During the summer holidays there will also be special ‘Geology
Rocks’ sessions made specifically for children (4 to 11-years of
age). These will be bookable on the Thanet Coast Project website nearer
the time. 

A new walk on Sunday, 26 August, at 11am is designed specifically for
older walkers (over 55s) with support from the Big Lottery Fund and
‘Thanet Coast’s Footprints in the Sand’ partnership project.  

Tony Child, Thanet Coast Project Officer, said: “Thanet has a unique
and beautiful coastline, and its natural history is absolutely
fascinating. 

“The Rock Doc walks provide a wonderful way to learn about the
ancient wonders of our chalk cliffs and fossils in a lively and
interactive manner. The walks are also very educational and serve to
captivate the imagination of local people and visitors to our area.”

Places on the walks are free of charge, if booked through the Thanet
Coast Project website at www.thanetcoast.org.uk or through the Margate
and Ramsgate Visitor Information Centres or Lillyputt Mini Golf,
Broadstairs.

Ed. Walks take place on the following days:  


Wed, 6 June, 6.15pm - Botany Bay, Kingsgate CT10 3LG
Sun, 24 June, 11am - Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend CT12 5HY
Sun, 8 July, 11am - Stone Bay, Broadstairs (CT10 1EU)
Wed, 18 July, 6.15pm - Botany Bay, Kingsgate CT10 3LG
Sun, 5 Aug, 11am - Minnis Bay, Birchington CT7 9QP
Thur, 16 Aug, 6.15pm - Stone Bay, Broadstairs (CT10 1EU)
Sun, 26 Aug, 11am - Minnis Bay, Birchington CT7 9QP
Sun, 9 Sept, 11am - Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend CT12 5HY
Sun, 23 Sept, 11am - Botany Bay, Kingsgate CT10 3LG
Sun, 4 Nov, 11am - Pegwell Bay, Cliffsend CT12 5HY
Wed, 26 Dec, 11am - Minnis Bay, Birchington CT7 9QP