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Cliffsend is a picturesque village on the Isle of Thanet, situated approximately 3km west of the coastal town of Ramsgate and overlooking the stunning Pegwell Bay. Rich in history, wildlife and coastal heritage, the village offers a unique blend of countryside, coastline and community spirit.
The area is perhaps best known for Pegwell Bay and the surrounding nature reserve, one of the most environmentally significant coastal landscapes in the country. The bay forms part of a nationally and internationally protected area, with designations including Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Ramsar wetland status, Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and National Nature Reserve (NNR) protections. The mudflats, salt marshes and coastline support a wide variety of migratory birds, wildlife and marine habitats, making the area especially popular with walkers, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
Cliffsend is also closely associated with the historic Viking landing at Ebbsfleet and is home to the Viking Ship Hugin, overlooking Pegwell Bay. The nearby former Ramsgate Hoverport site — once the world’s first purpose-built hoverport — remains an important and distinctive part of the area’s landscape and history, with much of the surrounding environment now recognised for its ecological importance and biodiversity value.
Residents and visitors enjoy access to a number of scenic walking routes across Pegwell Bay, the Saxon Shore Way and the wider Thanet coastline, alongside local amenities including Cliffsend Village Hall, Marjorie Chapman Meadow, the Viking Ship Café and the popular Njord cafe and bar.
Cliffsend has had its own Parish Council since 2003 and, as of 2024, serves 988 properties and 1,810 electors and their families. Statistics from the 2021 Census showed the population distribution as:
- 18% aged 19 and under
- 53% aged between 20 and 64
- 29% aged 65 and over
To learn more about Cliffsend’s fascinating past, please see our Cliffsend History booklet below.
Residents and visitors are welcome to attend Parish Council meetings, details of which are published on local notice boards and on this website. Meetings are formal council sessions rather than open discussion forums; however, there is an opportunity for members of the public to raise questions during the allocated Public Questions section.
If there is a matter you would like the Council to consider, please contact the Clerk in advance of the meeting or submit your questions and comments by clicking here. Please note that, without prior notice, the Council may not be able to answer questions on matters raised during the meeting itself.
Alongside Parish Council business, we also aim to share information, updates and community news relevant to residents of Cliffsend and the surrounding area.
