Margate
South East
Margate

Creative, edgy, vibrant, playful, fun – it can only be Margate, ‘The Original Seaside’ where traditional coastal holiday charm is spiced through with vibrant art scenes.

From the railway station you can walk straight to the beach, harbour or Old Town full of hipster hangouts, cool buzzy cafés, and contemporary and retro shops. 

Then get to Margate’s beating artistic heart in the steps of JMW Turner who painted the famously atmospheric local sunsets – now Instagrammer heaven! Catch cutting-edge exhibitions by leading artists at Turner Contemporary, discover new waves of talent in independent galleries, and don’t miss Tracey Emin’s pink neon seafront homage to her home town: ‘I never stopped loving you’ – she is developing a gallery here too. 

Margate’s eclectic mix of attractions is super family-friendly. Swoop around Dreamland, the iconic amusement park packed with vintage rides including the UK’s oldest wooden roller coaster, plus a smorgasbord of live music events, food and drink. Puzzle over the curious Margate Caves murals and the mysterious Shell Grotto decorated with millions of shells. Roll science into fun at the quirky Crab Museum, unique in Europe, and enjoy interactive nostalgia at Hornby Visitor Centre of some of Britain’s best-loved toys. 

Buying joint tickets to attractions like Margate Museum (journey through 5,000 years of history!) and the Tudor House are among tips for a great visit on a budget . Another tip is to explore the exotic Powell-Cotton Museum of African and Asian natural history collections, Quex House and Gardens at nearby Birchington: a hidden gem of the Isle of Thanet. Quex Park is bursting with activities and a tempting farm shop. Fancy having a go at something new, or up-skilling? Margate Cookery School and eco-friendly seashore foraging with Dr Forager are just two rewarding experiences on offer. 

Then how about evening entertainment? The Theatre, a seafront bar, or experimental music venue? Always lively, always happening: Margate fizzes with year-round action and events like its Margate Bookie, Soul Festival and Carnival. For further information on Margate click here. 

TRAVEL INFORMATION 

Road Directions - M25 linking with M26, M20, M2 and A299 to Broadstairs 

Public Transport By Train: High Speed service from London St Pancras to Margate 90 minutes or services to London Victoria and Charing Cross 

By Bus: National Express coaches run from London Victoria to Margate 0871 781 8181 

FREE CAR PARKING IN MARGATE is available every Saturday at Mill Lane, Margate and Harold Road, Cliftonville. Click here  for more parking options for Margate

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