Durlock Lodge Guest Rooms & Self Catering - Local tourist information

The Very Rough Guide To Minster

Minster is a large village of about 5000 inhabitants, which still has a feeling of community and offers much in the way of history and hospitality, a visit to one of the pubs should confirm this. Although now it is approximately 4 miles from the sea at Pegwell Bay (with good picnic and bird watching facilities) it was an important port till the River Wantsum silted up in the 11^th Century. As a gateway to the rest of Europe it “hosted” many visits from the Jutes, Romans & Vikings. The most notable visit was undoubtedly that of the reluctant St Augustine who after some nagging by Pope Gregory landed on the shores of Minster in 597 and brought Christianity to the people of England. Click Minster village website link for more general information.

Minster Abbey (situated opposite Durlock Lodge) phone 821254

The site dates back to 670 A.D. but was burnt to the ground by those nasty Vikings in the 9^th Century but rebuilt in 1027 with the Saxon wing still standing. It is now occupied by a small community of Benedictine nuns and may well be the oldest inhabited house in the country. Well worth a visit, not only to appreciate the history but a sense of peace & tranquillity.
Open most of the year at various times, closed on Sundays.

Minster Museum (situated next to the Abbey)

An interesting selection ofold agricultural & domestic implements that will bring back memories for the grand-parents and a wide selection of well cared for, animals & birds with a large pond & picnic area which is great for children.
There is a possibility that the Museum will not open in 2007 please check that they are open. For information Tel 01843 822312

St Mary’s Church

Founded in 670 A.D. when it would have been on the sea front and acted as a watchtower for shipping. The oldest parts still standing now date back to the 12^th century but on the West Side you can see where Roman bricks have been used and a much older building incorporated into the structure.

The church can be opened for anyone who wishes to look around, enquire at The Old School building in the Church grounds or contact Reverend Bob Coles 01843 821250.

Where To Eat & Drink

Within a five minutes walk of Durlock Lodge you have a good choice of Restaurants & Pubs that are at least as good as anywhere in the rest of Thanet so there is no need to drive unless you want to.

Mortons Fork Tel 823000 Restaurant & Bar Food. English & Italian Style fresh food & Pizzas served in charming 17 th century surroundings. Lunch & Dinner not Mondays.

Bell Inn Tel 821274 Quaint old pub that serves food Lunch & Dinners .

Minster Tandoori Phone 822516 Good Indian food Lunch & Dinner every day

Or within a 10 minute walk up the hill..

Dee's Bistro Tel. 823091 : 2 Courses £12.50 Dinners only Weds. to Sat. Friendly & good value

Shops

We have only listed Ben’s as there are too many to mention
Ben’s Supermarket 11 Monkton Road up the hill & fork left at New Inn then 50 metres on right sells everything (well almost!) and has a cashpoint. 8.AM to 10.P.M.

Cycling & Walking

Local Footpaths are plentiful and we can lend you an Ordnance Survey Map if necessary.

There are a variety of walks & trails that you can find on the Thanet Walking & Cycling

This area has the added benefit of being relatively flat and we have secure dry storage for bikes. You can rent bicycles from Ken’s Bikes in Margate (01843 221422

Bird Watching

Blean Woods (RSPB 01227 462491)near Canterbury is one of the largest areas of ancient broad-leaved woodlands in southern Britain.. Pegwell Bay (01622 662012) is a saltmarsh coastal area home for wintering & migrating birds with a hide & picnic area.

Beaches & Watersports

Sandy beaches for all tastes with a choice that includes Ramsgate main sands with its European Blue Flag award, Viking Bay at Broadstairs with traditional seaside charm or wilder beaches where you can take your dog for a bracing walk at Reculver & Pegwell Bay. For the sporty there is Jetski World (01843 231 703) & Foreness Water Ski Club (01843 582951)

Attractions & Towns Within 15 mins drive

The following towns all have different merits Sandwich (quaint olde worlde specialises in antique shops)
Broadstairs (traditional charm, specialises in restaurants & cafes
Margate (brash seaside resort specialises in amusement arcades.)
Ramsgate(charming harbour, specialises in yachts, cockles & mussels )

Powell Cotton Museum Birchington (01843 842168) Regency mansion set in 200 acres of parkland with a museum that houses a items collected by the Victorian explorer Major Powell-Cotton on his exploratory & game hunting expeditions in Africa & Asia

Sarre Windmill
Sarre(01843 847573) Fascinating working windmill & farmyard.

Spitfire Memorial Museum Manston (01843 821940) Even if your not particularly interested in wartime aircraft this is worth a visit as its free and has a friendly cafe

Carlon Cinema Westgate (01843 832019)

AMF Ten Pin Bowling Margate (01843 291010)

Attractions & Towns approximately half an hours drive.

Canterbury Engaging City with the usual and not so usual shops, theatres, and of course the inspiring Cathedral. Whitstable traditional Seaside town specialises in Seafood restaurants

Dover Castle Dover (01304 211067) Well preserved and also interesting war time operations bunker.

Canterbury Tales Canterbury (01227 479227) humorous & enjoyable 14 Th C experience.

Museum of Canterbury
Formerly known as the Canterbury Heritage Museum - the Museum of Canterbury is a 21st century interactive museum, whose theme is the city itself and its often turbulent story.

Rupert Bear Museum (at the Museum of Canterbury)
Come and join Rupert and his Chums in their very own museum - full of adventure and surprises!

Canterbury West Gate Towers
After the Cathedral, the West Gate is Canterbury's next eye-catching landmark. It has stood for six centuries on guard over the road to and from London. (pictured above)

Canterbury Roman Museum
The Roman Museum is underground at the level of the Roman town. It's an exciting mix of excavated real objects: authentic reconstructions; and preserved remains of a Roman town house with its famous mosaics.

Canterbury Royal Museum & Art Gallery
A splendid Victorian building houses decorative arts and picture collections - including a gallery for T. S. Cooper, England's finest cattle painter.

Day Trips to France & Belgium

Day trips can pay for themselves with the amount you save on life’s luxuries, so why not cross from either Dover (30 mins. drive) or take the tunnel from Folkestone (45 mins drive) Best to book at least a day in advance for special offers. The information below changes frequently and was correct in September 00 but phone around and watch your newspapers for special offers. Oostende & Boulogne are the more interesting towns but Calais is good for shopping & eating.

Eurotunnel Crossing to Calais takes about 30 mins. with prices for a car & passengers day trip approx. £69 but there are a range of discounts and times available that can bring the cost down to £15.

P&O Ferries (0870600600) takes about 45 mins.

Visit the local tourist board web sites for a whole host of activities:

Thanet Tourist Information www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk

Canterbury Tourism

White Cliffs Country

Taxi Company Chauffeur 595959

Doctors Surgery 821333

Durlock Lodge, Durlock, Minster, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4HD Phone 01843 821219
International Dialing + 44 1843 821219 E-mail david@durlocklodge.co.uk