Margate

About

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 hometown: ‘I never stopped loving you’ – she has opened TKE Studios, professional artist studios, here

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 The WonderWorks, Margate of some of Britain’s best-loved toys.

Take a trip to Margate Museum to journey through 5,000 years of history. 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.. Fancy having a go at something new, or up-skilling? Why not try eco-friendly seashore foraging with Dr Forager. 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. Discover more to explore around the Isle of Thanet, the refreshing coast for all SEAsons.

Travel Information

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

Public Transport - Southeastern’s highspeed service from London St Pancras to Margate 90 minutes or services to London Victoria and Charing Cross. Have separate lines for By Bus and Free parking.