Detail from a coloured lithograph by Thomas Mann Baynes of the view from Church Street with Whitstable in the distance,
There were great celebrations for the opening on 3rd May 1830. In Canterbury, the cathedral bells were rung and guns were fired in salute. There were two trains, consisting altogether of twenty carriages and twelve wagons. The whole length was bedecked with flags and leading carriages carried the directors, aldermen and other members of the Corporation. The third carried their ladies and the fourth, a band. A local newspaper described entering the tunnel as very impressive. It reported: 'The cheering of the whole party echoing through the vault combined to form a situation, certainly novel and striking'.
The opening of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, by T M Baynes, 3 May 1830. 
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Nov 2006