Baker's Gap

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Kent Shepway

England

Baker's Gap

Low tide, Folkestone Harbour The two tiny houses are called Holiday Home, two of six one-third size ‘homes’ identical except in their colourways. They were constructed by sculptor Richard Woods as part of Folkestone&#039;s 2017 Triennial. — Low tide, Folkestone Harbour Credit: pam fray

Baker's Gap is a prominent coastal feature located in Kent, England. Situated on the southeastern coast of the country, it is recognized as a headland or point along the coastline. The name "Baker's Gap" is derived from its unique geographical formation, which resembles a gap or opening in the land.

This coastal feature is characterized by its rugged cliffs and rocky terrain, which make it stand out amidst the surrounding landscape. The cliffs of Baker's Gap are known to reach impressive heights, providing visitors with breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding area. The headland serves as a natural barrier, protecting the land behind it from the force of the waves.

Baker's Gap is also renowned for its rich biodiversity. The coastal area supports a diverse array of plant and animal species, including marine life such as seabirds, seals, and various types of fish. The cliffs provide nesting grounds for seabirds, creating an important habitat for their reproduction and survival.

Due to its picturesque scenery and natural beauty, Baker's Gap has become a popular tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking along the cliff paths, birdwatching, and photography. The local authorities have taken steps to preserve the area and maintain its natural integrity, ensuring that future generations can also appreciate its beauty.

In conclusion, Baker's Gap in Kent is a notable coastal feature that stands out for its striking cliffs, diverse wildlife, and scenic views. It offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking to explore the stunning coastal landscapes of the region.

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Baker's Gap Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.08308/1.1947157 or Grid Reference TR2336. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Low tide, Folkestone Harbour

The two tiny houses are called Holiday Home, two of six one-third size ‘homes’ identical except in their colourways. They were constructed by sculptor Richard Woods as part of Folkestone's 2017 Triennial.

pam fray

Sunny Sands, Folkestone

Families enjoy the sandy beach at low tide, watched over by the Folkestone Mermaid. For the Folkestone Triennial in 2011, Cornelia Parker created a Folkestone version of Copenhagen's 'Little Mermaid'. It is a permanent work for the town. In the distance is East Cliff and Copt Point.

pam fray

Low tide, Folkestone Harbour

People taking advantage of the exposed stretch of sand. In the background is the Grand Burstin Hotel on Marine Parade.

pam fray

The bandstand at Folkestone

One of the things that was most missed over the last two years was live music. This was the Sevenoaks & Tonbridge Concert Band playing on the bandstand at Folkestone on a Sunday afternoon in August. Folkestone had been a resort for the wealthy since Victorian times with large villas and hotels being built to take advantage of the magnificent sea views. People promenaded and took the sea air on The Leas but a bandstand was missing. However, it took over 40 years to agree the funding for building a bandstand. Many people objected to the idea complaining that it would ruin the views of the sea. The Borough Council eventually decided to levy a one penny rate which also caused much anger as working class residents were barred from The Leas and would never be able to enjoy what they had helped pay for. Despite the complaints, building started in 1894, with the cast iron structure being made at the Elmbank Foundry in Glasgow. It opened in 1895. By 2006 the bandstand had deteriorated substantially but with funding from Shepway District Council and Kent County Council, it has now been totally rebuilt.

Marathon

The View Hotel, The Leas, Folkestone

Folkestone had been a resort for the wealthy since Victorian times with large villas and hotels being built to take advantage of the magnificent sea views. People promenaded and took the sea air on The Leas, which was the most impressive and wealthy part of Folkestone. The Leas was designed in the mid 19th century by Decimus Burton, who also worked on buildings and gardens at London Zoo and Kew Gardens There is still much of the air of a fashionable resort when on The Leas. This fine hotel, next to The Leas, is just west of the bandstand. See also Link

Marathon

The View Hotel, The Leas, Folkestone

Marathon

Royal Victoria Hospital, Radnor Park Avenue

The hospital opened on Rendezvous Street in Folkestone as the Folkestone Dispensary in 1846.The name was expanded to Folkestone Dispensary and Infirmary and it relocated to a site on Dover Road in Folkestone in 1863. The current general hospital buildings were constructed on Radnor Park Avenue, and opened in 1890, when the name was again changed, this time to the Victoria Hospital. The prefix Royal was added in 1910. In the 1970s, services were scaled down, with the focusing of regional hospital care in East Kent on the town of Ashford, Kent. In 1973 maternity services were moved to Ashford's Willesborough Hospital. In 1979 the new William Harvey Hospital opened in Ashford (ironically, named after Folkestone's William Harvey), and many other services were transferred here over the following years. The accident and emergency department at Royal Victoria Hospital was closed at that time, leaving it with a minor injuries service Link

Planning permission has been approved by Folkestone and Hythe District Council under application number Y19/0424/FH for the “demolition of former Royal Victoria Hospital outbuildings, together with the demolition of side and rear extensions to main Royal Victoria Hospital building”. This view of the TR2236 : Royal Victoria Hospital, Radnor Park Avenue was taken in November 2019. As there is security fencing to the right of the main entrance, it appears that the work is still ongoing.

John Baker

Royal Victoria Hospital site, Radnor Park Road

Planning permission has been approved, with conditions, by Folkestone and Hythe District Council under application number 20/0532/FH for “residential development at Royal Victoria Hospital site consisting of 19, 4 & 5 bed houses and 19, 1 & 2 bed apartments including associated external works”. This view of the TR2236 : Royal Victoria Hospital, Radnor Park Avenue shows the right hand side of the building, before it was demolished, and where the development is taking place.

John Baker

Folkestoneâs former gasworks, Ship Street

Home to Folkestone Triennial 2021 to display a sculptural installation by the artist Jacqueline Donachie entitled Beautiful Sunday. The notice affixed to the fence, is identified as The Plot C7 and bears the following information, “The production of gas at the Ship Street Gasworks ceased in 1959 but the social club for workers and local residents remained active on the derelict site for many years after. This story inspired the artist to make a sculpture to ‘celebrate all the dance floors in Folkestone’ past and present, which you will find marked out in the surface of the stage. The accompanying film documents line dance indigenous to Glasgow, the artist’s home town, called the Slosh. Beautiful Sunday is the title of the 1972 hit single by Daniel Boone”.

John Baker

Folkestoneâs former gasworks, Ship Street

Home to Folkestone Triennial 2021 to display a sculptural installation by the artist Jacqueline Donachie entitled Beautiful Sunday. The view of TR2236 : Folkestone’s former gasworks, Ship Street shows a notice affixed to the fence, which mentions all the dance floors in Folkestone past and present. I presume this sculpture represents one of them.

John Baker

Folkestoneâs former gasworks site, Ship Street

Folkestone and Hythe District Council has bought the derelict site and is proposing to build 100 new mixed tenure homes, including affordable properties, to help meet the needs of local people.

John Baker

Ship Street

The wall forms part of the former gasworks site.

John Baker

Foord Road North

The wall forms part of the former gasworks site. The view also includes the top of the sculpture TR2236 : ‘Green/Light’, Foord Road North.

John Baker

8, Foord Road South

Home to Folkestone Triennial 2021 to display a sculptural installation by the artists HayCheong, Simon Davenport and Shahed Saleem Nūr. A notice affixed to the brick gatepost in TR2236 : Foord Road South shows a better view of the derelict building; it reads: The building in front of you, now occupied by the Islamic Cultural Centre, was two storeys taller until the 1940s. For a couple of centuries before that, it was one of the most important industrial buildings in Folkestone, incorporating a huge water wheel to drive its mill. The artists have worked with the Centre’s organising committee to present proposals for how the building might be developed to better serve the needs of the community in the future. The designs for the artwork were evolved through workshops with the Madrasa and the wider Islamic community.

John Baker

Rose Court, 6, Foord Road South

This view of TR2236 : Foord Road South shows Rose Court during its construction and TR2236 : 8, Foord Road South with its sculptural installation relating to Folkestone Triennial 2021.

John Baker