The insideGUIDE to Margate
A vivid picture of celebration, inclusivity and talent, Margate is the beating heart of Kent’s cultural spirit and the very model of coastal cool.
WORDS BY MIA CHAPMAN
Where culinary innovators meet courageous creators, difference is celebrated and dreamy sea vistas lend onlookers endless inspiration and rejuvenation, Margate is no stranger to rave reviews for its refreshing approach to 21st-century coastal living.
Sitting proudly behind a sparkling coastline and its famous golden sands, the buzzing town dazzles with colourful storefronts, vintage treasures and forward-thinking indies. At its heart however lies a wonderfully creative community who have embraced the town throughout its shining revival from a fashionable Victorian seaside resort to an undefined destination hit by economic hardship, before landing anew as a contemporary haven abundant with life and a warm community spirit.
The picturesque backdrop to many artists’ creations both past and present, Margate is home to visionaries pushing the boundaries of art and sustainability and yet still sparkles with a delightful historic charm that transports visitors to vintage seaside summers – it’s this unique combination of attributes that make the town a joyous staycation spot full of discovery and adventure. From magical underground treasures to entrancing rooftop settings, a visit to Margate this summer promises to be simply unforgettable.
“There’s something about the blend of salty sea air, Victorian architecture and indie spirit that makes every day in Margate feel special. Besides the stunning beaches and breathtaking sunsets, the town has a quirky, creative heartbeat – galleries, vintage shops and people doing their own thing. We recommend pizza in the sunshine at The Pickled Fox, Saturday lunches at the buzzy George & Heart or The Bulls Head, and sophisticated small plates at Pomus in the evening.”
Lou Littmann & Markus Mohanty, Owners of Lulu’s Gelato
TOP MARGATE PICKS
Top Sweet Treat
Lulu’s Gelato
Freshly prepared using the highest quality ingredients, Lulu’s traditional Italian small-batch gelato delights with its naturally intense flavours and creamy taste, with 18 daily flavours to choose from including vegan-friendly gelato and refreshing sorbets.
Top Activity
Lost Island Adventure Golf & AR Darts
Test out your putting skills on the immersive, family-friendly indoor adventure golf course and perfect your aim as you battle it out to become the next AR darts champion.
Top History
The Margate Caves
Originally dug as a chalk mine in the 18th century before being rediscovered and restored over 100 years later, today the caves invite visitors to explore the captivating surroundings alongside an array of educational activities.
SUMPTUOUS STAYS
No. 42
Elegantly positioned beside the famous Margate sands and the epitome of seaside splendour, this glorious boutique bolthole offers guests characterful contemporary bedrooms, some with balconies overlooking the bay, a picture-perfect rooftop bar, exceptional dining options and serene treatment rooms for the ultimate coastal retreat.
Margate Suites
Four holiday apartments uniquely curated by local designers and artists with the aim to inspire and provoke creativity. In a prime location near the town’s top bars, restaurants and galleries, each vibrant self-catered suite is equipped with comfortable furnishings, kitchen facilities and stylish decor.
Doghouse
Superb family and pooch-friendly seaside hotel housed within an exceptionally renovated period property that always offers the warmest of welcomes, never forgetting the finer details that make for a getaway to remember.
TOP BARS IN TOWN
Little Swift
Providing the perfect spot to enjoy a beach sunset with a cut-above-the-rest tipple, Little Swift’s eclectic variety of wine, craft beers and innovative cocktails, alongside a stocked shop of Kentish drinks and deli delights, are a rightful hit with both locals and visitors.
Pomus
Burgeoning wine bar, bottle shop and restaurant passionate about great wine that perfectly complements a curated menu of tasty small plates, indulgent platters and decadent desserts. New to Margate Harbour Arm is Pomus’s younger sister, Pom, where more delightful wines, cocktails, beers and sensational snacks await.
Daisy
Friendly cocktail bar and restaurant with an inviting ambience, cosy seating and thirst-quenching modern and classic cocktails. With live music and sizzling BBQ eats from bar resident Snake Oil Barbecue.
COFFEE BREAK
Big Shot
From specialty coffee and brilliant breakfasts to creative cocktails and special events, the uber-trendy Big Shot is known and loved for its excellent day-to-night beverages. The diner also boasts being a top spot for boozy bottomless brunches and private venue hire.
Curve Coffee Roasters
Served up daily in their Margate cafe in the form of rich espressos and creamy cappuccinos, Curve Coffee Roasters are dedicated to providing delicious, freshly roasted and ethically sourced coffee that has a positive impact on both livelihoods and the environment.
Cliffs
A stylish hub to eat, meet and discover, this award-winning Cliftonville cafe, record shop and hair salon offers a vast menu of breakfast, lunch and children’s eats alongside warming brews, herbal teas and refreshing alcoholic beverages.
Divine Dining
Pearly Cow
Residing within the seafront hotel of No. 42, complete with a gorgeous terrace and cocktail bar, Pearly Cow puts magnificent local land and sea produce at the forefront of their curated dishes. From Robata-grilled meats to glorious seafood courtesy of Margate’s fertile shores, expect beautiful natural flavours and creative presentation.
Angela’s
Intimate Michelin Green Star restaurant wholly committed to sustainable cuisine. With a daily changing menu dependent on the boat’s catch of the day or the seasonal vegetables on offer, diners can expect unfussy dishes that always showcase the very best of Kent’s wonderful growers, fishermen and suppliers.
Buoy and Oyster
A glistening jewel in Margate’s dining scene since its opening in 2015, with a quarterly menu change to reflect the best of the season, great Sunday lunches and sublime oysters. For beachfront fish and chips with a difference, the restaurant’s sister takeaway hotspot Beach Buoys is a must-visit.
CULTURAL HOTSPOTS
Turner Contemporary
Modern art gallery inspired by the life and work of J. M. W Turner, a celebrated English painter known for his love of Margate’s skies. Built on the site of the boarding house where Turner stayed when visiting the town, the gallery today champions artistic exploration and discovery, inviting visitors to explore their own creativity through engaging workshops and activities. Enjoy thought-provoking exhibitions by both established and rising artists and take in those beguiling views from its prime seafront location.
Dreamland
One of the UK’s oldest surviving entertainment and amusement venues, Dreamland beckons families for fun-filled days out featuring thrilling rides, vintage fairground favourites, artistic installations, tasty street food and a vibrant calendar of year-round events including their popular Margate Summer Series, which welcomes acclaimed artists and unique festivals to the venue’s outdoor Scenic Stage.
Shell Grotto
Hundreds of visitors flock each year to lay their eyes upon the dazzling curved chalk walls adorned by over 4.6 million shells discovered by chance in 1835. A magical mosaic of unusual patterns and symbols with its true origin remaining unknown, the grotto is a subterranean marvel of mystery and intrigue.
MUST-SHOP STORES & MARKETS
Harbour & Tide
Inspired by coastal living, this brilliant boutique has all one could need when looking to get beach ready. From stylish swimwear, towels and totes to bright clothing, beauty, gifting and accessories, collections are designed in collaboration with fab local artists and made with sustainability in mind.
Margate Old Town & Market
An indie shopping haven, the picturesque Old Town is known for its pretty cobbled streets lined with an array of boutiques, cafes, galleries and restaurants. Also the host to a bustling weekly market displaying goods from local vintage traders, artists, designers and makers.
Oast
Inviting Cliftonville neighbourhood bakery offering a splendid daily array of freshly baked crusty breads including high-quality sourdoughs and ryes, gorgeous flakey pastries and trendy bakery-inspired accessories.
OUTDOORSY SPOTS
Image by: Visit Thanet
Margate Main Sands
A swathe of soft golden sand decorated by traditional seaside rides and attractions that combine to make this stretch of coastline a favourite for families and their little ones. Blue Flag awarded, Margate’s seafront is recognised for its accessibility and striking setting, a scene that was a great inspiration for the romantic landscape paintings of J. M. W Turner.
Margate Harbour Arm
Boasting breathtaking views of the bay, the town’s harbour was rebuilt in the early 19th century and today is a bustling hub of galleries, bars and eateries that come alive in the warmer months and is known by the locals as the place to be to watch the sunset over the sparkling waters. Be sure to wander to the end of the pier to view the brass sculpture of a shell lady named Mrs Booth, created by British artist Ann Carrington.
Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
Believed to be the largest tidal pool in the UK and stretching across four acres, Walpole Bay’s Grade II listed tidal pool has been a popular destination for a refreshing sea water swim since its opening in 1937.
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