Directions
Oxenden Park is located on Greenhill Road in Herne Bay, less than two miles from the centre of town and from the beach. Whitstable is around five miles to the west, Canterbury around seven miles to the south and Margate is around 14 miles to the east. Central London is 66 miles away.
Major roads within convenient reach of the development include the A299, the A2 and the M20. The nearest railway station is Herne Bay, just over a mile away. From there regular services run to London Victoria, among other destinations. High speed trains to Ebbsfleet International, Stratford International and London St Pancras also stop at Herne Bay station.
Oxenden Park lies within the administrative boundaries of Canterbury City Council and Kent County Council.
Leisure
Herne Bay has many attractions and amenities that contribute to it being a lovely place to live, not least of course its shingle beach, promenade with traditional gardens, seaside shops and amusement arcades, and its pier. Sticking with the coast, Hampton, Swalecliffe, Tankerton, and Whitstable beaches can all be reached in around 10 minutes by car, while Reculver Beach is around 15 minutes' drive away. Reculver village is notable as the setting for a Roman fort, then a monastery on the same site and built in the 7th century. The remaining medieval towers, added in the 12th century, remain today as a local landmark.
Cultural destinations include Herne Bay Little Theatre, which stages several shows each year, and The King's Hall, which offers a comprehensive programme of comedy, live music and musical theatre. The small and independent Kavanagh Cinema is less than 10 minutes' drive from Oxenden Park and is a popular alternative to the more usual modern multiplexes. Just over the road from the cinema, the quirky Seaside Museum in the town centre, presents a regularly changing series of exhibitions from local and national artists, as well as photography collections, landscape paintings and family-friendly events.
Outdoor attractions include Herne Bay Memorial Park, which has a children's play area, lake, tennis courts, a grassed games area, formal and sensory gardens, and Reculver Country Park, which is a site of special scientific interest and home to a variety of wildlife.
The town has active hockey, football, bowls and cricket clubs; there's a swimming pool, gym, dance and fitness studios at Herons Leisure Centre, and a roller skating rink at the Bay Sports Arena. Rowing and sailing are offered by Herne Bay Amateur Rowing Club and Herne Bay Sailing Club, while the Herne Bay Paddle Co provides paddle boarding lessons.
Margate, that quintessential English seaside town, is around 30 minutes by car from the development. Its sandy beaches, Dreamland Amusement Park, ice cream, fish and chip shops, prom and splendid sea views continue to attract tourists and is well worth a visit.
Transport
Herne Bay Railway Station is around 25 minutes' walk (five minutes' drive) from the development, with regular trains to Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Whitstable, Rochester and London Victoria (journey time around 90 minutes), among other destinations. High speed trains to Ebbsfleet International, Stratford International and London St Pancras also stop at Herne Bay station.
Major roads easily accessible from Oxenden Park include the A299, the A2 and the M20. Local bus services connect the development with nearby villages and towns, such as Broad Oak, Beltinge, Westcliff, Whitstable and Canterbury. London City Airport is around 64 miles away and Gatwick Airport around 69 miles away, via the M2.
Education
A number of well-regarded schools can be found in the local area. For younger children, these include Thornden Wood Primary School - which is just a few minutes walk from the development - and Hampton Primary School, which is 20 minutes' walk away. Herne Bay Infant school, Herne Bay Junior School, Herne C of E Infant and Nursery School, and Herne C of E Junior School can all be reached in less than 10 minutes by car.
For older students, Herne Bay High School is within walking distance, and The Whitstable School is around 10 minutes' drive away. Slightly further away, The Canterbury Academy and St Anselm's Catholic Schools both have sixth forms so caters for pupils aged 11 - 19 years.
Shopping
High Street lies at the heart of Herne Bay and together with Mortimer Street and William Street, makes up the main shopping area. All are lined with independent retailers, boutiques and specialist stores, as well as a few familiar names, and all are just a short walk from the beach. A selection of niche stores can also be found on the pier, and a weekly market takes place every Saturday on Mortimer Street. For local produce and crafts, a farmers' market is held monthly in Wimereux Square, off William Street.
Beyond Herne Bay, Canterbury is a favourite with shoppers from across the region, drawn by its great selection of chain and department stores, boutiques and specialist shops. It's also a must-see for tourists, captivated by the medieval architecture and famous buildings of this historic city. The main retail areas here include Whitefriars outdoor mall, Marlowe Arcade, High Street, Longmarket and The King's Mile. The latter comprises a number of streets and is close to the cathedral, it's the independent district and the place to find inspiring and quirky gifts, clothing, food and art.
Whitstable (around 10 minutes' drive away) and Margate (around 30 minutes' drive away) are also popular shopping destinations. Both are on the coast so are also famous for their beaches, seafood and traditional seaside atmosphere. Westwood Cross shopping centre, near Broadstairs, can be reached in around 25 minutes by car and boasts an array of high-street stores, eateries and a multi-screen cinema.
