By Katie Wilson
Margate is England’s original seaside town. Visitors have flocked here since the 1730s for its sandy beaches, out of this world sunsets and unique tourist attractions like the shell grotto.
Fast forward to the present day and Margate is having a resurgence. The town is full of independent shops – it’s rare to see a chain here – and there has been a flurry of new bar, restaurant and hotel openings in the past year.
It’s also gaining a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll reputation, which makes for some very glamorous people watching. Head to Bar Nothing on a Friday or Saturday night to see this at its finest. The Libertines have also set up their HQ here, The Albion Rooms; a hotel, bar, restaurant and recording studio.
Here’s what else we discovered when we spent a weekend in Margate…
Where to stay in Margate
Margate is full of great places to stay, from Airbnbs to luxury B&Bs and pubs with rooms – but one thing it has been lacking, until now, is great hotels.
That’s why we were very excited to hear there are some boutique hotel openings planned for 2022/23 which will really rejuvenate the area as a weekend destination.
Fort Road Hotel, which has 14 rooms including some with sea views and a rooftop suite, is one of the newest and enviably located on the seafront close to the Turner Contemporary gallery. Prices start from £145 a night. There is also a ground floor restaurant and bar open to non-guests worth checking out.
GuestHouse hotels are opening a Margate hotel in Spring called No. 42 which promises to be unlike anything else in the region. It will have 21 rooms, a restaurant, rooftop and a spa.
Hospitality brand Selina, which has hotels across the globe, has also just opened a new establishment in Margate. Aimed at design-savvy Millennials and Gen Z travellers, it is the sixth Selina hotel in the UK after London, Brighton, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. As well as chic but affordable rooms, there is a co-working space, restaurant, bar and terrace, plus the Selina Arts Supperclub. Wellness activities such as beach yoga and pilates are also available.
Another new establishment, Margate House Hotel, which is boutique B&B style lodgings with a shared self-catering kitchen and garden, will open in spring 2023.
For the shortest walk from the train station stay in Margate Old Town. The George & Heart pub with rooms and BeetBeds, which is vegan friendly, are favourites. The Well offers sea views from a dreamy roll top bath tub. While Georgian townhouse The Reading Rooms is worth splashing out on for a special occasion.
Libertines’ hotel, The Albion Rooms, is a little further round on Eastern Esplanade in cool Cliftonville, so we’d recommend getting a cab if you’re staying there.
Where to eat and drink in Margate
Margate is fast becoming a foodie hotspot. Seafood restaurant Angela’s was awarded the town’s first Michelin star in 2020. Since then a number of new cafes, bars and restaurants have popped up which are well worth visiting.
New openings include Sargasso on the Harbour Arm from the team behind east London’s Brawn restaurant. While you’re there be sure to pop into the family-run micropub Harbour Arms for a pint or two.
In Margate Old Town make a beeline for New Street Bistro for epic Sunday roasts and WILDES, a beautiful bistro which is a great for brunch in the day and cocktails at night. Order a Hendrick’s Pomelo served with peach caviar on top. The team have just opened a second restaurant and wine bar next door called Duke’s.
Stingray on Northdown Parade is a bottle shop bar serving craft beer, natural wine and cocktails, which is conveniently next to another favourite, The Taproom Cliftonville. Both have tables outside and are worth mooching up Northdown Road for. Another new opening worth checking out in that area is Sète, a wine bar from the same people behind former pop up Barletta. A neighbourhood restaurant and garden seating are on the way in 2023.
Faith In Strangers and Little Swift serve the most delicious cocktails and both enjoy sea views. The newest cocktail bar in town is Daisy, which was originally a pop up on the harbour. The name means Margarita in Spanish. We already like. While Mariarchi is a new tequila & mezcal bar in the town centre where you can book a private agave room for tastings.
For sunset raving head to The Sun Deck on Royal Crescent Promenade. This place is the business, but note it’s only open until 9pm Thursday to Sunday. Carry on the party at Bar Nothing on Cliff Terrace. It’s hipster AF.
Unique to Margate is The Little Prince in The Old Kent Market, which claims to be the UK’s smallest pub. Other pubs worth a visit include the Rose in June near the Winter Gardens. While popping in for a drink at Margate institution The Fez on the High Street is a must.
Forts and The Bus Cafe are where to head for breakfast. Join the queue at Peter’s Fish Factory for the best fish and chips in town. Scissortails is great for coffee, as is Cliffs – an independent cafe and record shop. Don’t forget to look upstairs!
Things to do in Margate
In addition to being England’s first seaside resort, Margate is home to some unique tourist attractions.
Dreamland is the oldest-surviving amusement park in Britain. They still have vintage rides and a roller disco. These days it plays host to the biggest gigs and music festivals in the area.
Shell Grotto is a subterranean wonder which has been intriguing tourists since it was discovered in 1835. This one-of-a-kind work of art features 4.6 million shells arranged in intricate patterns on the walls. Debate on its purpose still rages, but its uniqueness was enough to get it Grade I listed status.
The Margate Caves were originally dug as a chalk mine in the 18th century and later became a Victorian tourist attraction. After years of being closed, they recently reopened to the public following a campaign by locals.
One of the world’s smallest theatres, Tom Thumb, is in Margate. Head here for intimate gigs, comedy, burlesque and indie films. Plus there is a cool bar and restaurant with pop up food residencies.
Wild swimmers will love Walpole Tidal Pool, the largest in the UK. While you’re up that way, pop into Walpole Bay Hotel and feel like you’ve stepped back into time. There is a Living Museum full of vintage artefacts, a 1920s ballroom and a ‘Napery’ – a series of artworks made entirely on linen napkins. Local artist Tracey Emin features.
Emin’s work can also be seen alongside greats such as JMW Turner at the Turner Contemporary gallery on the Harbour Arm – the perfect spot to watch the special Margate sunsets Turner fell in love with.
When it comes to beaches, all are sandy. Margate main Sands and Botany Bay are our personal favourites. Follow the Thanet Coastal Path to walk across the cliffs from Margate to Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
Other Margate landmarks include the old Lido (which is now filled in but was recently used as a filming location for the new series of Killing Eve), The Shell Lady at the end of the Harbour Arms, and the Antony Gormley ‘Another Time’ statue which can only be seen at low tide.
If you’re in town to shop, there are a wealth of independent stores. We love Madam Popoff Vintage in the Old Town. For designer brands and rare records head to Albion Stores. While the lovely staff at The Margate Bookshop reserved a book without us even having to ask when we came back for it the next day.
How to get to Margate
Margate is on the south eastern tip of Kent, next to Broadstairs and Ramsgate. It enjoys a warmer climate than most parts of the UK so hopefully the sun will be shining when you visit, even in the colder months.
It is easily accessible by car with the M20 and M2 motorways providing easy routes from London.
National Express run coaches to Margate from London Victoria, which take approximately two hours.
But the quickest – and greenest – way to get to Margate is by train. Routes go from London Victoria, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross, which take from 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours.
There is also a high speed train that runs from London St Pancras International, passing through Stratford International station if you live in east London, which takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
If you are travelling from abroad, the nearest airports are Heathrow, Gatwick or London City Airport. Rent a car or get to Margate from London using one of the options above.
*Be aware most places in Margate are only open Thursday-Sunday so check before visiting
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