Margate Guidebook
Sightseeing
JMW Turner was a frequent visitor to Margate, and Turner Contemporary gallery was built in his honour, on the site of the guest house he frequented, run by his beloved landlady Mrs Booth. The opening was supported by another local artist, Tracey Emin, who grew up in the Kent seaside resort: spot her neon installation on the adjacent Droit House, a former customs building that’s now home to the tourist office. Inside the gallery, expect an eclectic rolling programme of exhibitions and events, and sea views that Turner fans will recognise from the artist’s work. Open daily, 10am-6pm, free entry.
352 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Turner Contemporary
RendezvousJMW Turner was a frequent visitor to Margate, and Turner Contemporary gallery was built in his honour, on the site of the guest house he frequented, run by his beloved landlady Mrs Booth. The opening was supported by another local artist, Tracey Emin, who grew up in the Kent seaside resort: spot her neon installation on the adjacent Droit House, a former customs building that’s now home to the tourist office. Inside the gallery, expect an eclectic rolling programme of exhibitions and events, and sea views that Turner fans will recognise from the artist’s work. Open daily, 10am-6pm, free entry.
The mysterious origins of Margate’s subterranean shell grotto, which was discovered in 1835 (smuggler’s cave or rich man’s passion project?) only add to its magical appeal. Wander through a winding passageway covered with an ornate mosaic of about 4.5 million shells. Open daily, 10am-5pm until 28 October, then open for winter hours, 11am-4pm, Friday to Sunday; £4 entry.
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Gruta de Shell
33 Grotto HillThe mysterious origins of Margate’s subterranean shell grotto, which was discovered in 1835 (smuggler’s cave or rich man’s passion project?) only add to its magical appeal. Wander through a winding passageway covered with an ornate mosaic of about 4.5 million shells. Open daily, 10am-5pm until 28 October, then open for winter hours, 11am-4pm, Friday to Sunday; £4 entry.
Hire a stylish blue Pashley bike from Ride... in the train station and cycle along the Viking Coastal Trail to Botany Bay, a quiet beach flanked by chalky cliffs and seaweed-strewn rock pools. The route promises a leisurely ride along traffic-free promenades overlooking the coast. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sundays 9am-4pm. Prices from £5 for one hour.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Viking Coastal Trail
Station ApproachHire a stylish blue Pashley bike from Ride... in the train station and cycle along the Viking Coastal Trail to Botany Bay, a quiet beach flanked by chalky cliffs and seaweed-strewn rock pools. The route promises a leisurely ride along traffic-free promenades overlooking the coast. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sundays 9am-4pm. Prices from £5 for one hour.
Amusement Park
Once Margate’s star attraction, Dreamland amusement park fell into disrepair before being reopened in 2015. As well as a candy-striped helter-skelter, Ferris wheel and the original 1920s Scenic Railway roller coaster (the oldest in the UK), there’s street food stalls and a roller disco. Look out for film screenings, gigs, circus performers and pop-up crazy golf courses as part of the packed-out events calendar, too. Park open daily 10am-6pm, hours for specific attractions may vary. Admission £5, ride prices vary.
242 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dreamland
Marine TerraceOnce Margate’s star attraction, Dreamland amusement park fell into disrepair before being reopened in 2015. As well as a candy-striped helter-skelter, Ferris wheel and the original 1920s Scenic Railway roller coaster (the oldest in the UK), there’s street food stalls and a roller disco. Look out for film screenings, gigs, circus performers and pop-up crazy golf courses as part of the packed-out events calendar, too. Park open daily 10am-6pm, hours for specific attractions may vary. Admission £5, ride prices vary.
Food scene
The food scene is flourishing in Margate. Choose from local seafood reimagined through a Scandi-cool lens at Hantverk & Found.
56 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hantverk & Found
16-18 King StThe food scene is flourishing in Margate. Choose from local seafood reimagined through a Scandi-cool lens at Hantverk & Found.
for modern, pared-back small plates head to Angela’s, where the menu changes based on the day’s catch.
106 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Angela's
21 The Paradefor modern, pared-back small plates head to Angela’s, where the menu changes based on the day’s catch.
For something more traditional, Buoy and Oyster is a family-run restaurant overlooking the beach. Expect a warm welcome, and exactly the sort of food you’ll be in the mood for after a day breathing in the salty sea air: Broadstairs crab with bread, butter and lemon-spiked mayonnaise; oysters dressed with pickled cucumber and dill; zingy seared tuna and crisp-skinned halibut in a deep, ochre-hued saffron crab bisque.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Dug Out
4 Fort HillFor something more traditional, Buoy and Oyster is a family-run restaurant overlooking the beach. Expect a warm welcome, and exactly the sort of food you’ll be in the mood for after a day breathing in the salty sea air: Broadstairs crab with bread, butter and lemon-spiked mayonnaise; oysters dressed with pickled cucumber and dill; zingy seared tuna and crisp-skinned halibut in a deep, ochre-hued saffron crab bisque.
Come lunchtime, queues still form daily outside the excellent Peter’s Fish Factory chippy.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peter's Fish Factory Margate
12 The ParadeCome lunchtime, queues still form daily outside the excellent Peter’s Fish Factory chippy.
For something a little less traditional, wander down the harbour wall to Scandinavian coffee shop Mala Kaffe for open rye sandwiches, cardamom buns and great coffee.
A few doors down, Cheesy Tiger (Unit seven and eight, Harbour Arm) is a fromage fiend’s dream, serving oozy toasties, raclette and truffle mac ’n’ cheese.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mala Kaffe
For something a little less traditional, wander down the harbour wall to Scandinavian coffee shop Mala Kaffe for open rye sandwiches, cardamom buns and great coffee.
A few doors down, Cheesy Tiger (Unit seven and eight, Harbour Arm) is a fromage fiend’s dream, serving oozy toasties, raclette and truffle mac ’n’ cheese.
The Sun Deck is home to a blossoming street food community, from Creole-style sandwiches at Po’Boys, to hangover-busting breakfasts served in a vintage double-decker at The Bus Café.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Sun Deck
Royal Crescent PromenadeThe Sun Deck is home to a blossoming street food community, from Creole-style sandwiches at Po’Boys, to hangover-busting breakfasts served in a vintage double-decker at The Bus Café.
For the best ice cream in town, head to Melt Gelato to sample the ever-changing array of ices, plus milkshakes and waffles.
Melt Gelato Parlour
16 Marine DrFor the best ice cream in town, head to Melt Gelato to sample the ever-changing array of ices, plus milkshakes and waffles.
Pizza GB offer a wonderful selection of pizza's with gluten free and vegan options. A great option for a quick bite to eat.
94 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
GB Pizza Co
14a Marine DrPizza GB offer a wonderful selection of pizza's with gluten free and vegan options. A great option for a quick bite to eat.
Waverley House is a seafront venue with food and beverage offerings across multiple levels with some of the most spectacular views of Margate Main Sands. Open for all-day dining, 7 days a week, serving a seasonal menu where our quality produce and honest humble cooking are the heartbeat of their restaurant.
Waverley House Margate
Waverley House is a seafront venue with food and beverage offerings across multiple levels with some of the most spectacular views of Margate Main Sands. Open for all-day dining, 7 days a week, serving a seasonal menu where our quality produce and honest humble cooking are the heartbeat of their restaurant.
WILDES
Brunch, coffee and coctails in the heart of Margate's Old Town. Open 7 days a week from 10am.
A short walk along the promenade heading towards Margate you you will find an award winning breakfast in a vintage double decker bus! Booking advised. Open Thursday to Monday for Breakfast from 9am to 2:30 pm.
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bus Café
Royal Crescent PromenadeA short walk along the promenade heading towards Margate you you will find an award winning breakfast in a vintage double decker bus! Booking advised. Open Thursday to Monday for Breakfast from 9am to 2:30 pm.
Shopping
Northdown Road, in the suburb of Cliftonville, is home to a fleet of boutique shops. Mar Mar is a café and shop filled with succulents and design-led homewares, while Urchin Wines combines a natural wine shop and deli with a gallery space. Transmission Records sells rare vinyl, and next door, Cliffs is the epitome of Margate’s new hipster image, comprising a coffee roastery, record shop, salon, yoga studio and café.
Finally, take a bit of the sea home with you in the form of the gorgeous products at Haeckels, which sells soaps, fragrances and candles made using local sea buckthorn and bladderwrack.
Northdown Road
Northdown RoadNorthdown Road, in the suburb of Cliftonville, is home to a fleet of boutique shops. Mar Mar is a café and shop filled with succulents and design-led homewares, while Urchin Wines combines a natural wine shop and deli with a gallery space. Transmission Records sells rare vinyl, and next door, Cliffs is the epitome of Margate’s new hipster image, comprising a coffee roastery, record shop, salon, yoga studio and café.
Finally, take a bit of the sea home with you in the form of the gorgeous products at Haeckels, which sells soaps, fragrances and candles made using local sea buckthorn and bladderwrack.
Bars & Pubs
A family run micropub offering a selection of local and national real ales and ciders.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Harbour Arms
Stone PierA family run micropub offering a selection of local and national real ales and ciders.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Getting Around
How do I get there?
Single fares from London St Pancras on Southeastern Railway start from £13.80, and the journey time is around 90 minutes.
Public transport
Margate is small enough to explore on foot. If you want to visit the nearby seaside towns of Broadstairs and Ramsgate, The Loop is a frequent Stagecoach bus service which – unsurprisingly – travels in a loop between the three.
No te pierdas
Best View
Amble past the Turner Contemporary and along the harbour wall to the lighthouse. In one direction, you’ll look out to the quiet sea; in the other, back to the hustle and bustle of Margate seafront, with its pastel-coloured rows of houses
No te pierdas
Insider Tip
Brace yourself for a dip in Walpole Bay tidal pool, a short walk along the coast from Margate in Cliftonville. The Grade II-listed pool was opened in 1937, and stretches out over four acres, making it the UK’s largest seawater lido.