Herne Bay, watering-place and town with ry. sta., Herne par., E. Kent, on the coast, 11 miles SW. of Margate and 62½ miles SE. of London by rail, pop. 2816; P.O., T.O., 1 Bank, 1 newspaper. Founded in 1830, Herne Bay is a pleasant watering-place, with beach of excellent sand, and occupying an agreeable and sheltered position. The pier (built 1831-32) is 3640 ft. in length; there is also a marine parade, a mile long. Herne Bay is connected by rail with Broadstairs Reculver, Margate, and Ramsgate.

(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))