White chalk cliffs and stack set back from sandy beach. Grass on top of cliffs.Bright blue sky
Botany Bay, Broadstairs

Listen to our Coast


Whilst we may all be staying in and not able to travel, sit back, listen and discover more about Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate with our free audio clips...

From tales of smuggling and why the sea is salty, to hearing from some of our coastal workers on their roles, we've got a collection of tantalising tales and interesting interviews to pass the time...

Seaside Stories

Joss Snelling 
This story tells the tale of the infamous Battle of Botany Bay, Broadstairs, when Joss and his gang of smugglers were ambushed by the Excisemen. Few facts are known about this event so the story imagines the events that led to the skirmish and Joss’s escape. Written by storyteller Steve Manning. Listen Here 

The Smuggler’s Leap 
This rhyming tale has been adapted from a story of the same name which appears in ‘The Ingoldsby Legends’, written by Kent cleric and novelist Richard Barham in the 19th century. The tale tells the story of the feud between Smuggler Bill and Exciseman Gill which ends in an epic chase, the intervention of the Devil and a doomed plummet into a chalk pit! Adapted and rewritten by storyteller Steve Manning. Listen Here 

Why the Sea is Salty 
A traditional tale, found throughout Europe, explaining why the sea is salty. It features a magical, salt-grinding hand mill, a greedy sea captain and a wrecked ship. Listen Here 

Sun, Moon and Water  
A myth from Africa explaining why the sun and moon climbed into the sky and also why the tides are affected by the moon. Listen Here 

Hermit Wants a Shell 
Hermit, like all hermit crabs lives in a seashell to protect his soft body. But what happens when he outgrows his seashell home? Unable to venture out from beneath a protective rock Hermit sings a song in the hope that a helpful sea creature will find him a shell. Find out who appears in his rock pool and which one of the creatures is successful in the shell search. Written by storyteller, Steve Manning. Listen Here 

Interviews with Local Coastal Workers

John Ray
Press Officer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) explain about the Thanet stations and how they operate. Listen Here  

Vanessa Ray
Voluntary Education Presenter at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) explaining about her role. Listen Here  

Jennifer Scott
Schools Officer at Turner Contemporary providing background to the gallery, its connections to JMW Turner and what you can see. Listen Here  

Fiona White
Marine Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust explaining what you can find at the beach. Listen Here  

Tony Child
Thanet Coast Project Officer talking about the make up of our coast. Listen Here 

Laura Welton
Guardians of the Deep Project Officer explaining about what you can see on the sealine. Listen Here 

Francesca Sayer-Doyle
Visitor Centre Assistant telling of her memories of going to the beach when younger. Listen Here  


Ramsgate Heritage Action Zone - Series in partnership with the Festival of Sound and Ramsgate Radio

Podcast 1: Heaven and Earth
Exploring the geology/geography and deep time of the seafront. Listen Here 

Podcast 2: Pulhamite and Promenade
Exploring the growth of Ramsgate as a resort town, Victorian society and the Pulhamite rock gardens Listen Here 

Podcast 3: Routes and By-ways
Exploring Ramsgate as a harbour of refuge. Listen Here