Herne Bay is a seaside resort lying some seven miles north of Canterbury. Its name is derived from the Old English 'hyrne' which translates as a 'corner of land'. They left their mark in the Victorian houses which line the long promenade of the town. Nowadays, the resort is a favourite with pensioners and the place has sleepy, peaceful ambience about it. Others come for the pretty, shingle beach with its clear, blue waters. Tourists generally come here to visit two main attractions, the offshore seal colony and the ruins of a Roman Fort at Reculver.