Our Margate

Sandy beaches, sunsets and a lot to do

Margate is one of the liveliest towns on the English coast. These are the beaches, sights and places we send our friends to.

01 · Beaches

Five beaches within easy reach

Margate Main Sands

5 min walk

The town beach: a wide sweep of golden sand with shallow water, cafés and ice cream. There's a tidal pool and a seafront sauna here too.

Westbrook Bay

Along the front

Next door to Main Sands and a little calmer, with beach huts and a promenade for an easy stroll.

Walpole Bay

East of the harbour

Quieter, with the historic Walpole Bay Tidal Pool revealed at low tide. A favourite for a morning swim.

Botany Bay

Short drive, ride or bus

Famous for its chalk stacks and cliffs. More secluded than the town beaches, and ideal for a slow day.

Joss Bay

Short drive or ride

A sheltered bay below high cliffs, popular with surfers, with a surf school for beginners.

02 · Things to do

Galleries, rides and things underground

Turner Contemporary

Seafront

The town's art gallery, on the harbour beside the Harbour Arm stone pier, with exhibitions that change through the year.

Dreamland

Short walk

A seaside amusement park full of vintage rides, with big-name gigs throughout the year.

The Old Town

Short walk

Narrow streets of independent shops, bars and restaurants. Good for an afternoon wander that turns into dinner.

Shell Grotto

Grotto Hill

Underground passages lined with millions of seashells. No one is sure who made it, or when.

Margate Caves

Northdown Road

Tunnels and chambers carved into the chalk cliffs, open for tours.

Sea Scrub Sauna

Main Sands

A wood-fired sauna on the beach. Sweat, then run into the sea. seascrubsauna.co.uk

Margate Arts Club

276 Northdown Road

A joyful LGBTQIA+-focused community space with a busy programme of events.

Viking Coastal Trail

By bike

A coastal cycle route from Herne Bay to Ramsgate. Borrow our bikes, or hire more from Ken's Bikes round the corner. kensbikes.co.uk

Watersports

Seafront

Jet skis and watersports along the coast, if a swim isn't enough.

03 · Eat & drink

Breakfast to fine dining

High Dive

Round the corner

Snacks, small plates, larger plates and puddings, just round the corner from the house.

The Old Town

Short walk

The densest cluster of restaurants, cafés and bars in town. Wander in and take your pick.

Bars & music venues

Across town

From Dreamland's gigs to small bars and clubs, there's something on most nights.

Want a recommendation for a particular night? Message us and we'll tell you where we'd book.

04 · Further afield

Walks and day trips

The Great Stour

By car

A lovely riverside walk near the Grove Ferry Inn, which also does good pub food.

Broadstairs, Ramsgate & Whitstable

Along the coast

Three very different seaside towns, all an easy trip from Margate.