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Things to do in Margate

Among Kent’s quaint seaside villages, the town of Margate hits the sights and senses like a veritable metropolis. On the one hand, Margate supplies all the traditional seaside favourites: rides, arcades and (great) fish and chips set around a great sweep of yellow sand. Yet, far from being a stuck-in-the-past nostalgia-fest, Margate has become a magnet for artists and creatives, successfully overhauling its former tired facade and blossoming into a welcoming, artistic town, full of things to see and do.

The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, Kent | Best Theatres in Kent

Activities

Culture, museums and gardens in Kent

Kent offers vibrant arts and heritage, from Margate Winter Gardens and the Marlowe Theatre to Turner Contemporary. Explore Canterbury Museums, Dover Museum, Deal Maritime Museum, Canterbury Cathedral and award-winning Goodnestone Park Gardens.

Dreamland in Margate, Kent | Things to do in Margate

Activities

Dreamland Margate

A retro amusement park and live music venue on Margate’s seafront, Dreamland blends vintage fairground rides with festivals, street food and big-name gigs. A nostalgic and energetic highlight of any seaside stay.

Food & Drink

Peter’s Fish Factory

A classic seaside institution serving traditional fish and chips by the beach. Recently collaborating with Fortnum & Mason, it’s a go-to for an elevated take on a British favourite.

Activities

Turner Contemporary

Overlooking Margate’s seafront, Turner Contemporary celebrates J.M.W. Turner’s connection to the town with bold contemporary exhibitions and sea-swept views. A cultural landmark and creative hub, perfect for an inspiring afternoon by the coast.

Activities

Shell Grotto

One of Margate’s most intriguing attractions, the Shell Grotto is an underground passageway decorated with millions of seashells arranged in intricate mosaics. Mysterious and atmospheric, it’s a must-visit for lovers of history, art and hidden gems.

Places to stay in Margate

Margate, Margate

Grosvenor Place

Sleeps 4

No Dogs

7 nights from £1,185

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Westgate on Sea, Margate

Sandy Villa

Sleeps 8

2 Dogs

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History of Margate

If there is one aspect of Margate you simply cannot miss, it is Margate Main Sands beach. It was a beloved subject of painter JMW Turner (1775-1851), who came here often and famously stated that “the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe.” Margate Main Sands is family friendly, with loads of facilities both on the beach and nearby, and it won a Blue Flag Award and Seaside Award in 2019.

A stone’s throw from the beach is a warren of quaint streets dating back to the town’s Georgian heyday: Margate Old Town. Be sure to factor in time to wander round the fabulous mixture of vintage shops, trendy restaurants, beautiful boutiques and cute cafes. You’ll find the Margate Museum and Tudor House nestled in Old Town, too. Two attractions in one, the little museum tells the story of the town, including some of its most notable residents, while a few streets away, the 16th century Tudor House is a wonderfully preserved piece of Margate’s past.