Why Margate?
From cosy family retreats to grand group getaways, discover the vibrant, surprising, deeply loveable town that keeps our guests coming back year after year.
Local Highlights
Margate At Its Very Best
Explore by what suits your group. We’ve picked the best of Margate’s beaches, culture, food and entertainment so you can plan your perfect stay.
Margate Main Sands
One of England’s finest sandy beaches, wide, golden and facing due south for maximum sun. Perfect for families, paddling, sandcastles and sunbathing from May through September.
Dreamland
Britain’s oldest amusement park, lovingly restored to its 1920s glory. Vintage rides, street food, live music and an electric atmosphere. Brilliant for all ages. The kids will love it, and the adults will too.
Turner Contemporary
World-class contemporary art gallery perched on the site where J.M.W. Turner first discovered his love of light. Always free entry, always surprising. A highlight of any visit to Margate.
Margate Old Town
A labyrinth of independent restaurants, galleries, vintage shops and cocktail bars. This is where Margate’s creative heart beats. Book Sargasso, Buoy and Oyster or Angela’s for dinner. You won’t be disappointed.
Why Margate?
What's All the Buzz About Margate?
Margate has gone from a nostalgic seaside town to one of the UK’s most talked-about coastal destinations — a place where artists, musicians, foodies, and London escapees collide in the best possible way.
Some call it Shoreditch-on-Sea. Others call it home. Either way, the hype is real.
The Evidence
Everyone Seems to be in love with Margate…
Celebrities Love It
Madonna reveals love for Margate and mysterious Italian restaurant.
Art Loves It
The Turner Contemporary Gallery hosts David Hockney until
Nov 2026, and it is Tracy Emin’s home town where she seems to be single handedly inspiring a whole new generation of artists.
Film Loves It
Margate’s cinematic coastline has starred in major productions:
Music Loves It
Dreamland’s summer lineups are remarkable. Recent and upcoming acts include:
The Libertines, Razorlight, Roger Daltrey, Basement Jaxx, Dizzee Rascal, Sugababes, Tom Jones, Olly Murs, Madness, and McFly.
Time Out Loves It
Cliftonville was ranked 8th Coolest Neighbourhood in the World by Time Out — and Margate regularly appears in their “best things to do” lists.
Travel Writers Love It
From 48-hour guides to foodie deep dives, Margate is constantly featured by leading travel publications.
Foodies Love It
Margate Old Town and Northdown Road have Michelin Star restaurants and fabulous bars and cafes. We have our favourites that we’ll happily share, but we also have new favourites popping up all the time.
Sandy Feet Love It
Yes, Margate has sandy beaches. Not pebbles, real sand! And rock pools.
Margate also has its own blue flag beaches….
Margate Main Sands, Walpole Bay & Tidal Pool, Joss Bay, Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay.
Dreamland Loves It
Dreamland Margate is a retro-cool amusement park with vintage rides, roller discos, street food, and huge live music events — one of the UK’s most iconic entertainment venues. Built in 1920, this venue was inspired by and named after the Coney Island theme park and is the UK’s first of its kind.
There is no smoke without fire so come and discover Margate for yourself.
‘Here is Trip Advisors’ ‘Best Things To Do in Margate’: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions
Right Now In Margate
Weather Forecast & What's On
What's On
This Month In Margate
Margate Pride
Margate Pride is a community-led celebration of LGBTQIA+ life, creativity, and activism.
Margate FAQ
Everything You Need To Know
Is Margate good for a family holiday?
What's the best time of year to visit Margate?
How far is Margate from London?
Is Margate dog friendly?
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Local Attractions
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Free Insider Guide
What To Do In Margate
We’ve spent years discovering the best of Margate: the beaches that don’t get busy, the restaurants worth booking weeks in advance, and the hidden gems most visitors walk right past.
- Our 10 favourite restaurants in the Old Town
- The beaches ranked by crowd levels and suitability
- Rainy day plans your kids will actually enjoy
- Seasonal events calendar and what to book ahead
- Secret spots the locals don’t want you to know about
Get the Free Guide
We’ll email you our curated insider’s guide to Margate, completely free.
