Each of Sheppey's towns and villages is steeped in history and heritage. The island was where British aviation was born and came of age. The former dockyard is now little more than an industrial estate and the riotous dockside area, Blue Town is today just a quiet backwater. It's now hard to think of people like Pepys, Nelson, Collingwood, et al walking the streets of Blue Town but they once did.The area connecting Blue Town to Queenborough was once a thriving community known as West Minster but that has gone, following flooding in 1953. The abbey at Minster, once the epicentre of the island, and a magnet for medieval pilgrims is now just a ruin. But despite all the changes the Isle of Sheppey remains a favourite destination for holidaymakers and day-trippers, and is a fascinating place to explore with much awaiting discovery.