A weekend in Margate: travel guide, attractions and things to do

Why you should visit in Margate

How, asked Mark C. O’Flaherty in The Telegraph, did a “rough, impoverished seaside town become a mutli-faceted beacon of bohemia”? In recent years Margate’s “deco buildings, seaside nostalgia” and “sporadically beautiful sunsets” have attracted a new crowd of visitors, with “every knackered piece of real estate” taking on a fresh lease of life. “There’s a lot to like” in this “shiny new Margate”.

“Artists abound” in what is now an “emerging cultural destination”, said the i news site. Dive into the “boho arts scene” and sample menus at “the kind of restaurants that serve borlotti beans and biodynamic wines”. For those who prefer a sense of nostalgia, there’s still the “classic” elements of a British seaside resort: “gaudy confection of Vegas-style amusement arcades, funfares, stripey deck chairs on yellow sands – all the clichés”.

A two-hour journey from London, this seaside holiday town on the Kent coast has quickly become a favourite for weekend breaks or longer staycations. And with Whitstable and Broadstairs close by, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

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What to see and do in Margate

First discovered in 1835, the “mysterious” Shell Grotto “continues to fascinate tourists and locals alike”, said KentLive. Around 2,000 square feet of subterranean space is covered by roughly 4.6m shells, “painstakingly laid out in intricate patterns, swirls and even images of birds, hearts and women”. But why the grotto exists – and who built it – remains unknown.

For something a little less baffling, get a “free fix of cutting-edge art” at the Turner Contemporary. Inspired by the work of painter JMW Turner, the gallery is situated on the seafront, and has a range of exhibitions, activities and workshops on offer. Stop by the cafe for a refreshment break.

Haeckels has been producing natural products using sustainably-sourced ingredients for more than ten years. Now a global brand, this B Corp began life in Margate, and its house there offers its clientele a relaxing space to shop and unwind. Book in for a facial, massage or seaweed wrap to unwind in this uniquely tranquil setting.

It’s thought that Dreamland – the setting of Sam Mendes’s Oscar-nominated Empire of Light – is the oldest-surviving amusement park in Britain, dating back to the 19th century. With retro rides, a roller disco and a range of concerts throughout the summer, be sure to check what’s coming up when planning your trip.

Spend some time on the hunt for antiques and vintage clothes among Margate’s independent shops. And if you feel like venturing further afield, the scenic Botany Bay is a few miles along the coast, while Broadstairs and Ramsgate are a little further round. Walk there and back, or grab a bus or train service back in time for dinner reservations.

Best places to eat and drink in Margate

People are “flocking to Margate for the food”, said Ajesh Patalay in the Financial Times, and it’s not hard to see why. “The quality of cooking at a handful of Old Town restaurants makes this one of the finest food quarters in the country.”

Seafood restaurant Angela’s is “top”, but be sure to book as there are only a handful of sought-after tables. If you’ve no luck there, try Dory’s, Angela’s “little sister around the corner”, where it’s walk-in tables only. Both serve up “perfect fish plates”, said The Times, with menus changing daily depending on what’s caught each morning. Angela’s also has guest suites available to book.

Brave the cross-winds on the harbour arm to get to Sargasso, a wine bar run by the team behind the acclaimed east London eatery Brawn. The menu “makes the very best things look very simple”, said Jay Rayner in The Observer. The “squat, old red brick” building “will not be everybody’s idea of good taste”, but they’ll be the ones missing out on the seasonal small plates, “intriguing” wine selection and sea view, set to a soundtrack of 70s funk and jazz.

Bottega Caruso dishes up “high-class Italian fare”, said The Times. This “small, family-owned and run” restaurant’s menu is “filled with Campanian delight”, said Tom Parker Bowles on the Mail Online. Go for the fresh pasta, stay for the Italian wines.

As far as watering holes go, you won’t struggle. Sargasso’s neighbour DIVE is a “top spot for margaritas”, said O’Flaherty in The Telegraph, though “poshed-up pub” the Rose in June could give them a run for their money. Little Swift’s natural wines, craft beers and cocktails are “unmissable”, said The Times, and The Sun Deck is the “summertime spot”.

Where to stay in Margate

The location of Fort Road Hotel “couldn’t be better” said travel writer Lesley Gillilan in The Telegraph. Minutes from both the train station and many of the town’s biggest attractions, this recently restored accommodation is full of original features, mid-century furniture and colourful interiors.

The Reading Rooms are a “charming” option, said the Independent. “Chandeliers, parquet floors and muted tones” are “begging for Bridgerton-style Instagram snaps”. The newspaper gives it top marks for a romantic weekend away.

The six-rooms at the George & Heart are also “splendidly designed” – though more “70s seaside chic” than Georgian townhouse. In the summer, make the most of the “Ibiza-style terrace”.

The Albion Rooms is more “rock ‘n’ roll”, said the Independent. Opened by band members of The Libertines after the pandemic, this “affordable boutique hotel” includes a recording studio and “subterranean” bar, while the rooms “are full of decadent, gothic drama”.

Transport: how to get to Margate

High-speed trains run regularly from London terminals including St Pancras International, with travel time totalling around 90 minutes. Victoria and Charing Cross services are a little longer, but both will take you from central London to the sea in two hours.

Coaches also take about two hours from London Victoria. London Gatwick is the closest airport by car, at around an hour and 40 minutes drive.