About Us
We are a vibrant creative hub, right in the heart of Herne Bay where you can try new things, meet new people, share your ideas and talents, and have fun.
We support people on their creative journey, give artists and makers space to create and show their work and bring people together through creative activities.
Our exhibitions, events and learning opportunities make a real difference to people’s lives in Herne Bay.
Beach Creative, over its ten-year history, has adapted and changed to the
needs and interests of local people.
Energised by strong community involvement, Beach Creative has inspired local people of all ages, all backgrounds and all abilities to share their talents, exchange ideas and try new things through courses, events and exhibitions. Everyone is warmly welcomed.
Beach Creative also provides spaces and opportunities for local artists and makers to develop and deliver their creative services.
History
Beach House was built in 1899 to provide offices and a home to the local gas manager and his family. The Herne Bay Gas Company was formed by act of Parliament on 1 November 1837, and by the end of the century it had rapidly expanded its activities to service Herne Bay’s building and tourism boom.
If you look carefully at Beach House you still see that the building always had a dual purpose. The right hand door led into the house where the family lived and the left door led into the gas showrooms and offices. The hatch we are using in our café is original to the building and was used to pay the gas workers wages and take orders for gas fires and appliances. In the 1930s a second showroom opened at 91-95 High Street and eventually replaced the one at Beach House.
The aerial photograph dates from about the 1920s and shows the two gas storage cylinders and Beach House with a long walled garden running all the way down Beach Street to the corner of the present car park. Some of the original flint wall remains.
You can download the full history of Beach House written by Sue Austen by clicking the button below.