Herne Bay recent comments:

The childhood home of Ian Blanthorn the famous military historian...

My family stayed at the caravan site in the late 50s, early 60s, for 13 years running always in a caravan called Brenda-Ann. I remember the site owner, Mr Robinson and the penny slot machines outside the little shop. I loved the walk through the glen to get to the wooden staircase that led to the beach and collecting shrimps and winkles in the rock pools, my mum cooked them and my dad and brother ate them. Happy, happy days.

Liz, like you I remember with fondness....I am in Australia now.

Sue, I have some pictures of the Fairy Glen, shame we can't post them on here.

I do remember it. I'm going to take a trip with my sister to see what's left of the 60s and 70s.Reculver Hillborough Beltinge, Not much, I shouldn't wonder! Hopefully Macaris ice cream parlour is still there in Herne Bay itself for a knickerbocker glory.

Im so glad i found this little snippett. We used to have caravan holidays nearby with all the family of my mothers side the Lawrences and i remember getting so excited about going to this magical kingdom called fairy glen. Oh it was many years ago! And i was beginning to think i had imagined it! Lol

I remember the little shop had penny machines outside it was owned by a Mr Robinson who also had a daughter called Laurel

I do, my mum and dads caravan was just below it two vans away from the wooden bridge (i dont mean the fairy glen bridge) do you remember the owners 'bungalow' beside the shop? and the toilet and shower block? or am i going too far back!! Bert Westwood (who started in a burger van at the top van field) took over from the sweet old original owner whose name fails me, i know he moved to a bungalow a few doors from the mirimar, and i still pop up from London to the mascot bakery to buy their bread and sausage rolls

Malcolm, they were happy days back in the 60's / 70's - there is now no sign of where the Fairy Glen or indeed where the caravans stood...Do you remember the little shop at the top of the caravan site?

wow, my nan had a caravan on Kent's caravan site in the 60's and 70's and we used to walk past the Glen regularly as kids. I was beginning to think I'd imagined it. I also remember the Miramar pub. Great memories. Thanks for jogging them.

and Mrs Hindle...

Like you Bill I also grew up in Beltinge. I remember the boy who used to live here just as the house was built. His name was Ian Blanthorn. He left and joined the Army and I was told that he now lives in Australia.

ha thanks Alan I no its drifting off the subject but yes fond memories of Herne Bay and The Mascot Bakery many years ago as a lad just having completed training as a floor layer some xx years ago I was sent along to the Mascot Bakery on a Thursday afternoon ( as all shops shut half day on Thursdays ) to install Lino yes Lino to the front shop serving area. On working towards the rear of the shop, there was then but its probably not there now a slight difference in floor level and low and behold what was looking at me from the gap between the two levels yes you've guessed a nest of cockroaches. After filling the gap with whatever adhesives and fillers my mate and I could find we completed the work and made a hasty retreat. Who remembers the two Banks in Belting Village I think Barclay's and Lloyds, there's another floor layers story there but that's going to have to wait.

I remember this too, used to walk with Nan from Reculver on the Cliff to Herne Bay, to get bread from The Mascot Bakery (still there, but the old lady is not alas she was about 70 then). Looking back the Fairy Glen kept us kids walking because after the Glen you was in Herne Bay. In them days remains of houses where on the cliffs and as I became a teenager they was gone

And the last photo from the mid 70's, Enjoy!!

Mr Hindle??

I have just added a couple of old postcards showing the Fairy Glen in all of it's glory...Enjoy!!

I also have very fond memories of the Glen. As a child it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, though was obviously not a great trek from the caravans we stayed in. Some of my earliest memories are of the place (about 1962-63). From the path above there was a retaining fence on which rested a long pipe or tube that you could put a coin in. This then slid or rolled down for the fairies, I think it ended up in one of their houses. You then made your wish. I spent an age there trying to spot a fairy I recall, encouraged by my nan who was a great believer in that kind of thing. You can see the woods that still remain approximately where the Glen was on google earth (at the end of Glenbervie Drive, Herne Bay). A great shame it has gone.

I remember very clearly what the place was like, little bridges etc, was like a magical piece of land, very sad to hear its no longer there. We left UK in 1974 to come to New Zealand, sometimes I dream that I dreamt it. Glad to see by your comments here it wasn't just me.