The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower, built in 1836-1837 and designed by architect Edwin J Dangerfield, is a notable structure located on Central Parade in Herne Bay. Constructed from Portland stone, the round tower is supported on the ground floor by four fluted Doric columns on each front, including the corners, which hold up a triglyph frieze and a projecting cornice. Above this is a set of four steps featuring four Corinthian columns that encircle the tower. On the east and west fronts, there are round-headed niches with architraves supported by consoles.

The tower's upper section is square, with each face flanked by pilasters topped with leaf capitals, each featuring a clock face. An entablature and pediment sit above each face, leading to an octagonal cupola that has four round-headed openings, pilasters between them, a cornice, a parapet, and a dome topped with a pinnacle and weather vane.

On the ground floor, the east and west fronts have doorways framed by moulded architraves that are wider at the bottom than the top, each topped with a pediment supported by consoles and featuring double doors with six fielded panels. The north and south fronts have window spaces with moulded architrave surrounds and cornices, with the north side converted into a war memorial for the South African War. An inscription on a panel in the entablature on the east side reads: "The gift of Mrs Ann Thwaites to this town, 11 October, A.D. 1837." Additionally, two cannons are positioned between the columns on the seaward side.