The Herne Bay Gazette started as Herne Bay Press in 1883 and went on to become part of the Kent County Newspaper Group. It merged with the Kent Messenger Group in 1980 and shortly afterwards it became
a tabloid newspaper. It is one of the Kentish Gazette group of newspapers.

When a big story has broken in Herne Bay, we have been there to record it, including in 1910 when the Lord Mayor of London, who lived in Herne Bay, opened the pier pavilion, the opening in 1913 of the King's hall by Princess Beatrice, the opening of the bandstand in 1924, the two pier fires in 1928 and 1970, the great floods of 1953 and the sea freezing over in 1963.

The paper was founded by Fleet Street journalist James Watkinson - a very strong non-conformist, extremely strict and straight-laced in his views.

Very first edition was just four pages and cost one penny, with the front pages dedicated to advertisements.