THE SHORT STORY OF 'THE TANKERTON ESTATE'
Tankerton/Whitstable in Kent was once owned by a family which jealously guarded its privacy, its buildings and woods for 60 years until 1890, when it was bought by a solicitor who realised its potential for development.Then, it consisted of just The Tankerton Tower (The Castle)lodges and several farms and a single track road. The name Tankerton derived from William de Tangreton who held the land in 'Knights' service in the reign of Edward 1. In the 1800s with the end of the Napoleonic Wars improved roads and the coming of the railways, travel to the seaside became the done thing.

The Bank Holiday Act 1871 encouraged the middle classes to travel to the coast and they could afford to stay and even retire there. Land speculation started on the 300 acres and 'Tankerton-on-sea' was described as a healthy place with clean air, little commercialism, excellent seabathing, ample boats and a good place to settle and it still is today. New building began in Tankerton in the early 1900s new roads, drains, water supply, tennis courts, park areas, open seafront greens but rules where strict and still are. Only one dwelling per plot was allowed and retrictive covenants was put on the land registry deeds. Permission had to be sought from the estate for any alterations to plots or property by a certificate for approval of plans and still has to be done today.

This we feel is why Tankerton has stayed a bit more upmarket than its neighbours and has not been over commercialised. With the building of all the houses this introduced approx 35 miles of 10ft walkways originally meant for all the drains and when the car became popular licences where introduced to allow some vehicles a right of way and access to garages once they had planning approval off The Tankerton Estate.


In 1937 Mr W.M.'PiP' Bishop took over the estate and become 'Lord of The Manor' encompassing ownership of all the 10ft ways and control of all building development.
Title has now passed to his son Keith Bishop and the management of the whole of'The Tankerton Estate'and Horsebridge Properties[Whitstable]Ltd is managed by County Estate Agents and all information can be obtained from The Estates Surveyor Mr Russell Moxley on 01227 274471/01233 740774. Author Terry Moxley.



TRIVIA FROM THE 1500s Next time you are washing your hands and complain about the water temp isn`t just how you like it think about how things used to be... Here are some facts about the 1500`s... Most people got married in June because they took their yearly baths in May and were still smelling pretty good by June. However,they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body adour. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men,then the women and finally the children. Last of all was the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it, hence the saying Next time you are washing your hands and complain about the water temp isn`t just how you like it think about how things used to be... Here are some facts about the 1500`s... Most people got married in June because they took their yearly baths in May and were still smelling pretty good by June. However,they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body adour. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men,then the women and finally the children. Last of all was the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually ..If you want to know more go to our home page and clickon the Tankerton button at bottom of page. Its very interesting!!..>