Westgate-on-Sea

Westgate-on-Sea is a seaside town in Kent featuring two sandy beaches known as St Mildred's Bay and West Bay. A railway station provides transport connections to London and other major urban centers.

The town developed from farmland into a residential area following the arrival of the London, Chatham and Dover Railway in 1863. This rail connection transformed it into a planned estate designed to attract London commuters.

The Victorian canopies along the seafront shelter local shops selling crafts and souvenirs, creating a gathering place where visitors browse wares beneath ornate ironwork. The Edwardian Carlton Cinema continues to serve as a social hub for entertainment, maintaining its role in the community's leisure activities.

The town is most pleasant during warmer months, as winters bring cold temperatures and rainfall occurs regularly throughout the year. Visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions and pack appropriate layers.

During World War I, the Royal Naval Air Service operated a seaplane base at St Mildred's Bay with two slipways for transferring aircraft. These slipways allowed quick movement of planes between hangars and the water.