Margate

Town ·🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Population 61,223

Area 79 km²

Time zone Europe/London

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Explore Margate

Margate Essentials

Margate combines its heritage as a traditional English seaside resort with a thriving contemporary arts scene. The town features the Turner Contemporary gallery, built on the site of J.M.W. Turner’s former lodging, and the Shell Grotto, a mysterious subterranean passage lined with millions of shells. Dreamland offers vintage fairground rides, including the Grade II* listed Scenic Railway. Creative spaces extend to the Old Town’s markets and independent venues like the Tom Thumb, one of the smallest theaters in the world.

9 places

Best of Margate

Margate’s coastline features the Turner Contemporary, an art space built on the site of J.M.W. Turner’s former lodging. The town's Victorian heritage is preserved at Dreamland, home to vintage amusement rides like the Dreamcatcher and Cyclone Twist. For recreation, Margate Main Sands provides a broad tidal beach adjacent to the Old Town, while Palm Bay offers a quieter alternative further east. Local art is showcased in venues including the Pie Factory and The Viking Gallery.

8 places

Margate's Creative Hidden Gems

Margate’s creative landscape extends beyond its main galleries into historic chapels and repurposed industrial spaces. The Theatre Royal, dating back to 1787, stands as one of the UK’s oldest working stages, while the Tom Thumb Theatre offers an intimate venue in a converted Victorian coach house. Contemporary art is anchored by the Turner Contemporary and supported by artist-led initiatives like Crate and LIMBO, housed in former print works and substations. Medieval history is preserved at Salmestone Grange, a 14th-century monastic site.

7 places

Coastal Amusements & Beach

Margate’s seafront is defined by the historic Dreamland amusement park and its adjacent sandy coastline. This collection features the United Kingdom’s oldest wooden roller coaster alongside a variety of restored vintage fairground attractions and modern thrill rides. The area combines traditional seaside heritage with active amusements, all situated within walking distance of the town's central tidal pool and wide sandy bay.

9 places

Art & Culture in Margate

Margate’s cultural landscape features a mix of historic architecture and contemporary art spaces. The Turner Contemporary anchors the seafront with rotating exhibitions, while the Old Town houses the 16th-century Tudor House and the Pie Factory gallery. Performance venues include the Theatre Royal, dating back to 1787, and the Tom Thumb Theatre, a converted Victorian coach house. Artist-led initiatives like Crate and LIMBO provide dedicated spaces for experimental projects and local creative development within the town's growing arts district.

7 places

Historic Churches of Margate

Margate’s religious architecture spans nearly a millennium, from the 11th-century flint walls of St John the Baptist to Victorian Gothic revivals. This collection highlights the town's ecclesiastical evolution, featuring medieval monastic granges, 19th-century non-conformist chapels, and unique sites like the Royal Sea Bathing Hospital chapel. These landmarks showcase diverse masonry techniques and historical roles within the coastal community.

8 places