It seems that not many people in London know about Margate, which is, quite frankly, counfounding. The most common reaction when I told people I was visiting this seaside town in Kent was an expression of blank incomprehension. Admittedly, a few people had heard of Dreamland. A handful nodded in recognition when I asked if they’d heard of the Turner Contemporary. But no one knew about the mystery-shrouded underground shell grotto. I felt like I was unveiling a secret.
If Margate is a secret, it certaintly won’t remain that way for long. With easy access from London, gorgeous sandy beaches, incredible art, culture and shopping, a thriving food scene and a regenerated amusement park on offer, the only thing missing is throngs of tourists.
On second thoughts… maybe I shouldn’t share these 8 reasons to be mad about Margate with you. I’d quite like this destination to be my own little secret beach haven…
1. Vintage Shopping
Oh hello, vintage shopping! If you’re into anything antique or retro (as I am), Margate is a treasure trove waiting to be rummaged through. Paraphernalia is, as the name suggests, a cavern of miscellaneous curiosities. If you don’t get lost among the books and taxidermy, stroll through quaint lanes to shops such as Madam Popoff Vintage, Breuer and Dawson or The Little Vintage Boutique.
2. The Beach
Being Australian makes me a bit of a beach snob. I love Brighton, but its pebbly shoreline makes me sad. Margate is no such disappointment. Its sandy stretch reaches into the calm blue water, with a picturesque lighthouse at the end of the Margate Harbour Arm.
There’s a distinct feeling, when standing on Margate’s sandy shores, that you’ve stepped back in time to when beaches were unspoiled, one-pieces were all the rage and candy-striped beach balls bounced across the sand.
3. Haeckels – Made of Margate
Move aside, Aesop – Haeckels is the new fragrance and skincare brand you need to know about. Handmade with natural, local ingredients, the products on sale in this intriguing store are luxurious and the packaging is innovative. Seaweed harvested from the local coast forms the base of many of the products Haeckels makes.
From candles that smell like locations in and around Margate to chalk infusers engraved to match the graffiti on Margate’s chalk cliffs, each product is thoughtfully designed and bursting with the essence of the local region.
Visit Haeckels at 18 Cliff Terrace Margate CT9 1RU
4. Great British Pizza Company
I don’t usually go crazy for pizza, but a good pizza is a rare find – a great one even more so. The Great British Pizza Company in Margate serves exceptional pizzas as well as prosecco on tap, which of course made me love it all the more. The menu features plenty of local ingredients, and even the gluten free bases, which are crispy and delicious, are handmade locally.
The restaurant is relaxed and a little bit quirky, and it looks out over the great British seafront. Perfect for lunch in the sunshine after a frolick on the beach.
Visit GB Pizza Co at 14 Marine Drive, Margate CT9 1DH
5. Turner Contemporary
This spectacular white structure stands proudly on Margate’s harbourfront, reflecting the blues and greys of the sky and water. Inside the Turner Contemporary is a blank canvas, a naturally lit gallery that showcases art from the UK and beyond.
When I visited, the gallery was exhibiting an installation by Pedro Reyes; a collection of musical instruments made with confiscated cartel weapons, and as I’m currently binge-watching Narcos on Netflix, I found it particularly fascinating.
There are new exhibitions all the time, and admission is free, so there’s no reason not to visit again and again. It’s a great excuse to come back to Margate.
6. Tea & Cake
Don’t even think about spending time in Margate without having tea and cake at one of the cute cafes dotted around the old town. I stopped at The Cupcake Cafe, which served decadent looking cupcakes and surprisingly tasty gluten free cakes on pretty floral tablecloths.
The Mad Hatter Tea Garden is only open on Saturdays but a quick peek inside at the eclectic interior was enough to make me start planning a Saturday visit soon…
7. Location, location, location
You can find yourself standing on the sandy shores of Margate less than two hours after leaving central London. The train journey is picturesque and the best bit is that the train station in Margate is just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. You can smell the sea salt as soon as you step out of your carriage.
Standard off-peak return fares to Margate, which you can buy right here, start from £24.40.
8. Dreamland
I can’t fit everything I want to say about Dreamland, Margate’s recently reimagined amusement park, into this short paragraph. It deserves a blog post of its own – so stay tuned for vintage inspiration and retro colours soon – but suffice it to say that Dreamland is an absolute blast.
Have you visited Margate? What else would you add to this list?
For more information about what’s on in Kent and Margate head to VisitEngland.
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What a charming little town!
It truly is charming – the very essence of the British seaside!