Herne Bay 1830-1880 a failed seaside resort?

This thesis sets out to examine Herne Bay’s success or otherwise as a seaside resort in the period during the nineteenth century, with a specific focus on the period from 1830 until around 1880. The significance of these dates centres upon the involvement of speculators and the building of the first deep sea pier that opened in 1832 closely followed by the passing of an Improvement Act in 1833. The effect of the 1833 Act was to provide a form of governance over the town’s affairs with varying effectiveness until this was reformed in the early 1880s as a result of provisions contained within the Public Health Act 1875. This time period also includes important transport developments that had a significant effect upon the town.