The Horsebridge Arts and Community Centre is located in the heart of Whitstable, Kent. The Centre was set up to provide a social, cultural and learning resource of high quality that is excellent value and accessible to all.

The Centre is open 7 days a week

Monday – Thursday 9am – 9pm (10am – 6pm Bank Holidays)

Friday & Saturday 9am – 6pm (and from 7pm for Performances)

Sunday 10am – 6pm (10am – 5pm winter hours)

The Galleries close at 6pm daily

Location: 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1AF

Website – http://www.horsebridge-centre.org.uk/

History

The Horsebridge area has played a key part in the varied history of Whitstable. The name itself comes from the jetty used by the horses taking the catch from the boats. Later, the first railway in Kent, the “Crab and Winkle”,took the place of the horses.

Whitstable has a long tradition of community and cultural activity including community and arts groups operating on the Horsebridge site itself. Canterbury City Council was committed to a building that reflects this activity and seeking to create a focal point for the town.

The project was a public / private sector partnership between Canterbury City Council, who owned the land, and the local developer Banbury Estates.

Four schemes for the re-development of the Horsebridge site were shortlisted and were featured in a public exhibition in April 2000. Over 600 comments were received from local people with 62% favouring an “upturned boat” design submitted by architects Clague.

The Centre opened to the public on Saturday 10 April 2004, and is run as a Company Limited by Guarantee and with Charitable status.