Margate is a small sea side town in Kent which is in the south of the UK. With a big beach and old town charm, it is definitely somewhere to check out in the summer!

Intro to Margate

If you live in the UK and have ever watched Only Fools and Horses (classic British comedy) or listened to Chas and Dave then you will no doubt have heard of Margate.

Margate is a coastal town in South East England and part of the Kent seaside which is taking definitely regenerating and transforming into a place to be. With golden sands and with a whole array of things to do it’s would be silly not too….. So we did!

Getting there

If you are based in London, you can get the fast train to the coast in about 90 minutes from St Pancreas, the train station is 3 minutes walk from the start of our day. The train station doesn’t have a huge amount in regards to shops or things to see, but is generally pretty clean. You can sometimes get a discount on train tickets by booking them on a website such as theTrainLine.
If you are driving there are quite a few car parks in the area, one of which let’s you pay £5 for the day. The traffic around Margate isn’t too bad at all but obviously does get a big busier if there is an event on or if it is a hot bank holiday!
When you come out of the station if you need to some refreshment over the main road turn left walk past the Victorian bus shelter, past the mariner looking out to sea and staying on the promenade there is the bus cafe and Po Boys for creole food. The bus cafe sometimes does get busy in peak season but is worth the wait.

What to do

Turner Centre – it’s free to enter, although to support the centre you can donate, with a suggested amount of £3. It hosts some really good exhibitions you can stay as long as you wish to view during opening times. You can check out their website to see what exhibits are currently being shown. The exhibits are great but what we loved more was the view when you go up the stairs. There are also toilets, cafe and shop on site. If you are interested in art then this is a must visit if you are in Margate or the surrounding areas.
Harbour Arm – take a stroll along the harbour arm and take in the view of Margate, the galleries and eateries and bars along the arm and the shell lady and lighthouse bar, if your staying over in the summer months what a great place to sit have a beer and watch the sunset. The Turner Centre is right at the start of the Harbour arm so is easy to visit both of these sites at one time.
Shell grotto – history says the shell grotto was discovered In 1835, there are lots of conflicting reports so we are not getting in to that! The walls are decorated in millions of shells in different symbols like a mosaic. Tickets are £4.50 for adults and £2 for children each,under three are free. Has a shop and cafe. So wander at your leisure and look in awe at all the intricacies of the design. This again is located just across the road from the Turner Centre.
Dreamland – this is probably the biggest regeneration piece of Margate. In its heyday in the 1960s its was the place to go, generating around 2 million visitors a year to this town. It has kept its roots with the scenic railway (the oldest roller coaster in the UK), waltzer, teacups etc but included is a new stage where music events are held! They hold events such as sunset sessions and big fish little fish all the musical delights. There is also pop ups which serve alcohol and fish & chips etc. It is free to enter Dreamland and look around, but of course you have to pay in order to go on the rides. On a warm day or at the weekend it can get busy in Dreamland, but if you in Margate this is a must visit place!
The Old Town in Margate has a network of roads hosting lots of vintage and kitsch items for sale. Then to rest your weary feet there is a range of different Cafes to perk you back up with refreshments and unique themes such as the mad hatter and the cupcake cafe.
Main sands – the sand is golden and well kept, if you are not looking to get gritty the Kings steps are there for people watching and looking to the horizon if you are day dreaming. There is a beach cafe, rides and places to get sea food as well as arcades etc.