It was a cold, grey day in June when I ventured out to the North Kent coast to visit a building that had intrigued me when I first glimpsed it in the distance from Herne Bay a few years ago. Twin towers that looked as though they rose from the sea itself.
An imposing landmark, the twin 12th-century towers of the ruined church stand amid the remains of an important Roman ‘Saxon Shore’ fort and a Saxon monastery.
It wasn’t always on the beach – coastal erosion has caused much of this site to be lost to the sea, so if you want to visit I suggest you don’t leave it too long.
From the car park it is a very short walk to the site ruins, but you can continue to walk along the coast through the Reculver Country Park to Herne Bay (west) along the Wantsum Way, or towards Margate (east). Given the blustery, wet weather I’m afraid I didn’t venture too far along this coastal path, but in sunnier weather I imagine it is a very nice place to walk or cycle in.
Looking West
You can see the path leading away on the left-hand side, but this promenade obviously wasn’t the best route forward. I was constantly wiping the camera lens already!
If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Jude I am feeling rather chilly looking at these photos. As always your variety of angles and perspectives in the galleries helps me to consider ways to approach such large buildings. That’s quite the danger sign!
I love the details and the colours in the first gallery – the suddenness of the orange stones,and that splendid arch of stone. I was also charmed by the triangle of uncut grass in the last shot. Thanks for taking me to Reculver Towers.
I seem to remember you saying when you were in Kent the weather wasn’t very good but I’m glad you still got out and about to give us your interesting posts 🙂 You got some wonderful photos out of it as always. Love the fort, the wild sea and the pretty flowers. This is a part of the world I don’t know at all.
Amazing views, I always enjoy some history behind the pictures. And Roman history is so much interesting. Good work!
Thank you! I always try to add some information to my images, unless they are obvious 🙂
Wow, I love this. Thank you for going out in blustery weather to bring us this gem and another stop to add to my Bucket List. Love the layers of texture in the walls showing different building periods.
So glad I’ve got you covering this bit of the world for me, Jude! Not much prospect of me getting down this way, though this is very much my kind of walk. Whooshy water- maybe a little warmer would be good. 🙂
Sorry I didn’t find you sooner. I did check for a post because you said there was one. Deaf, dumb and blind! Cheers anyway 🙂
Hi Jo! I don’t know if this published on time as I wasn’t able to check! More whoosy water yesterday! But on the whole a good week.
That looks a very wild and windy day Jude, well done braving the elements to show us this interesting Roman Fort before it tumbles off the cliff.
Tumbles off the cliff is dead right! If those waves keep battering the coastline like they have recently it won’t be there in a few years.
Those Romans were an enterprising lot – roads, forts, towns, plumbing, viticulture …. Interesting scenes and a moody atmosphere.