Ramsgate Royal Harbour receives heritage status

Ramsgate Royal Harbour is one of 14 harbours across the UK to have heritage status

Ramsgate's Royal Harbour has been given heritage status.

It is one of 14 across the UK to be made a heritage harbour.

A joint initiative between local groups, Historic England, the Maritime Heritage Trust and National Historic Ships, it is hoped it will help preserve the harbour's historic character.

The new status will be celebrated with a series of events in September.

Between 6 and 15 September, as part of Heritage Open Days, there will be talks, tours, workshops, guided walks, a special exhibition of historic maritime artefacts, and access to parts of the harbour not usually open to the public.

It is also hoped the harbour's new status will attract extra funding and tourism to the area.

The harbour is set to play a significant role in 85th commemoration of the Dunkirk evacuation in 2025

In spring 2025 Ramsgate Royal Harbour is set to play a prominent role in events to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuations.

The flotilla of little ships sent to evacuate allied troops from France was co-ordinated from the Royal Temple Yacht Club, with 50 of the surviving vessels set to visit to mark the anniversary.