Tankerton Slopes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tankerton Slopes

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of Search	Kent
Coordinates	51°21′50″N 1°02′42″E / 51.364°N 1.045°E / 51.364; 1.045
Interest	Biological
Area	2.3 hectares (5.7 acres)
Notification	1986
Location map	Magic Map

Tankerton Slopes is a 2.3-hectare (5.7-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Whitstable in Kent. It is part of the Tankerton Slopes and Swalecliffe Special Area of Conservation

This north facing slope has a population of tall herbs, including the largest population in Britain of hog’s fennel, a nationally rare umbellifer. Fauna include agonopterix putridella, a nationally rare moth whose larvae feed exclusively on hog's fennel.

There is access to the site from Tankerton Beach. The height of Tankerton slopes vary across the site, but are approximately 50 feet (15 metres) high when measured from the promenade or 66 feet (20 metres) in elevation from sea level.

The bottom of the slope are fronted by Beach huts and have a promenade to that runs from Whitstable to Swalcliffe that is popular with dog walkers and cyclists.

At the top of the slope to the West is a beacon that works by having a wood-based fire in a basket that is on top of a long wooden post.

The site also offer a view in the distance of the "red sands" Maunsell Forts of the Thames Estuary, the thirty wind turbines of Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm and from the West-end "The Street" a "Spit of land" that appears at low-tide and allows walking 750 meters into the sea

Gallery

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  Tinted photograph on postcard dated around 1905-1914 showing "The Leas"

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  Colourful rows of wooden huts on the grassy slopes of "Tankerton slopes" below Marine Parade

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  Sunset from Tankerton Slopes towards Sheppey - geograph.org.uk - 1564606

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  Tankerton Beacon

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  Tankerton Slopes as seen from "The Street"