The magnificent Royal harbour which dominates Ramsgate has put the town on the map for almost 200 years as somewhere special. Bestowed by King George IV in 1821, it is a jewel in the crown of the Kent coastline and continues to thrive both as a working harbour and marina.

But increasingly, Ramsgate is earning a reputation as a place to visit and eat and drink as chic new hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants have opened in recent years.

Today, a walk beside the harbour also offers the chance to browse in art galleries and shop for collectables among the arches. Such is the new confidence in the town that JD Wetherspoon has bought a former pavilion right by the beach and is spending more than £4 million converting it into one of Britain’s biggest pubs.

Throw in a fabulous wide sandy beach, clifftop walks, cycle routes and a fascinating maritime museum and you’ve all the ingredients for a great day out or short break.

It was the Victorians’ new-found love for bathing which really put the town on the map as Londoners came down to Ramsgate in their thousands to take in the sea and fresh air. The arrival of the railways only fuelled numbers.

During the Second World War, the 150-year-old railway tunnels became air raid defence shelters and today they are the largest network of civilian war-time tunnels in the UK which can be visited as part of a heritage attraction.

Don’t miss: Ramsgate Harbour played a pivotal role in 1940, sending ‘little ships’ to Dunkirk to help with evacuation of British troops, with the town welcoming back 80,000 soldiers. Among the boats was the motor yacht Sundowner, now restored and on show in the harbour, which was captained by Commander Herbert Lightoller who just also happened to be the senior surviving officer of the Titanic.

Time to explore: More poignant evidence of the Second World War effort can be seen at the nearby Manston Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum and the RAF Manston History Museum. Another splendid sight in the town centre is the magnificent Regency Italianate greenhouse in King George VI Memorial Park, which can be reached via a pleasant clifftop walk.

Best-kept secret: Ramsgate has attracted many famous names including Vincent Van Gogh, Jane Austen and the gothic revival architect Augustus Pugin who designed the interiors of the Houses of Parliament. He built his house, the Grange, looking out over the sea and the neighbouring beautiful St Augustine’s Church. The Grange has three open days planned for May. See www.landmarktrust.org.uk for more details.

Getting there: On the furthest tip of Kent close between Broadstairs and Deal, by road Ramsgate is reached via the A28 from Canterbury. The town’s biggest car park is in Leopold Street. Trains from St Pancras take around 75 minutes.