Margate in Southeast England has been serving residents and tourists as a seaside resort for more than two centuries. With the sandy beaches, a theme park, amusement arcades, and incredibly rich history and culture, it is easy to understand why it has remained a darling for millions of travelers for this long. If you are planning a trip over here, then you can expect that you will have lots of things to do and see, and if you are not thorough with your planning as well as the duration of stay, you will be disappointed when your departure date arrives. To avoid that, scroll below to find out the best things to do in Margate, UK.
1. Have a fun-filled day at Dreamland Margate
Have a fun day at Dreamland Margate, a seaside amusement park. You can ride the Big Wheel, a 35-meter (115-foot) high Ferris wheel providing a stunning view of the amusement park and the seaside. Share laughter and giggles at Funny Mirrors, featuring up to 20 differently-shaped mirrors to reflect curved and distorted images, guaranteed to make you burst out in joy.
After exploring the rides, taste England’s best at the different food and drink offerings of the amusement. You can try some authentic fish and chips at Ocean’s Fish N Fry Seafood Bar or have your beverage of choice at Roller Café. Later, enjoy a relaxing end to your day by viewing the different art installations inside the park.
Dreamland Margate
Address: 49-51, Marine Terrace, Margate CT9 1XJ, United Kingdom
Website: Dreamland Margate
2. Witness performing arts at Tom Thumb Theatre
Thanks for the lovely shout out @dearpariah . This is going to be a special gig not to be missed! Posted @...
Posted by Tom Thumb Theatre on Thursday, January 12, 2023
Explore this arts hub by the sea and witness a variety of performances. Listen to music, watch films, laugh at comedic displays, or immerse in poetry. The theatre prides itself on being non-discriminatory, so expect to witness art produced by the community and minorities in the areas.
Furthermore, while enjoying the entertaining performances, you can sip local craft beers, natural wines, or cocktails served at the bar in the upstairs area of the theatre which opens one hour before scheduled events start and closes at midnight.
Tom Thumb Theatre
Address: 2A Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2LB
Website: Tom Thumb Theatre
3. Marvel at the historic Drapers Windmill
Drapers Windmill is one of the most peculiar landmarks in Margate. The windmill was erected way back in 1845 when it was used for grinding corn using wind power. With the advancement in technology, the wind was replaced by a gas engine as the main powering agent in 1916. Go see how gigantic the structure is, and also learn about the early technologies used in it as well as how the wind was converted into energy, which was then used for grinding corn.
Drapers Windmill
Address: St Peter’s Footpath, Dane Valley, Margate CT9 2SP, United Kingdom
Website: Drapers Windmill
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4. Enjoy the views of the sea from Margate Harbour Arm
A walk down to the Margate Harbour Arm will treat you to much more than just the calming and the breathtaking views of the sea. What you’ll find here is a stone pier believed to have been constructed between 1812 and 1815. It also features a lighthouse that was constructed later on in 1955. There is a bar, café, and galleries that tourists visit every day as they stroll the pier to enjoy the nice views of the sea.
Margate Harbour Arm
Address: Margate, UK
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
5. Walk down the memory lane at Margate Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The countdown begins! In just 9 days time we’ll be opening our new major autumn exhibition ‘Turner’s Margate’. Taking...
Posted by Margate Museum on Thursday, September 12, 2019
Margate Museum is located in the Georgina Old Town Hall just next to the marketplace. The building that was once a magistrate’s court and a police station is now the custodian of artifacts and other pieces of history that best tell the story of the town’s evolution. If you are a student of history, or you are just passionate about learning the history of the places you visit, then a trip to this museum is a must. This is where you will learn some great stories about famous shipwrecks in the region, the bathing machines, and the effects of the two world wars in the region.
Margate Museum
Address: Market Pl, Margate CT9 1EN, United Kingdom
Website: Margate Museum
Opening hours: Wed, Sat & Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri)
Price: 2 USD
6. Explore the mysterious Shell Grotto
The Shell Grotto was discovered way back in 1835. It is a 30-meter (98.4ft) subterranean tunnel decorated with over 4.5 million shells. Walking down the tunnel will reveal a series of spooky caves believed to have served as homes for stonemasons and Knight Templars over three centuries ago. During the tour, you will be thrilled with lots of theories that abound the construction as well as the actual use of the tunnels. You will also find it difficult to understand that though the grotto has breathtaking mosaic featuring local limpet, oyster, cockle, and mussel, the background is made of flat winkle shells – the type that is only available on the beaches in west Southampton, which is more than 150 mi (241 km) away.
Shell Grotto
Address: Grotto Hill, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2BU, United Kingdom
Website: Shell Grotto
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue )
Price: 4.50 USD (Adults); 2 USD (Children)
7. Tour the historic Tudor House
Tudor House is believed to date back to 1525, though its most recent restoration was in 1951. Apart from its date of construction, the most fascinating thing about this house is how its actual construction was done. It is a corbelled half-timbered house constructed on top of a plinth made of flint. It features a close studding with very narrow gaps left in between the straight-standing timber. It has a total of three reception rooms on the lower floor, and three bedrooms upstairs. Outside, there is a beautiful garden with benches, where you can sit to soak in the ambiance for a while.
Tudor House
Address: 60 King St, Margate CT9 1QE, United Kingdom
Opening hours: Wed, Sat & Sun: 11:30am - 2:30pm (closed on Thu, Fri, Mon & Tue)
8. Visit the historic Margate Caves
Margate Caves have been opened to the public since 1863, though there have been some short periods when they were closed temporarily. The caves were dug out from chalk mines during the 18th century, after which they lied dormant and forgotten for close to one century. They were incredibly popular during the Victorian period. It is a great place for exploring some of the town’s rich social and cultural history, as well as learn about the geology, ecology, and landscapes of the town.
Margate Caves
Address: Northdown Rd, Margate CT9 1QH, United Kingdom
Website: Margate Caves
Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed Mon - Wed)
Price: 4.50 USD (Adults); 2 USD (Children)
9. Synchronize your clock by the Margate Clock Tower
The Margate Clock Tower is another iconic structure you can’t miss when you are in the harbour region. It was constructed in the late-19th century and officially commissioned on Queen Victoria’s 80th birthday. The tower has a rich history behind it, and it has been used by ships plying the nearby routes for decades to set the time. You, too, can set your watch by this tower and see just how accurate it is.
Margate Clock Tower
Address: Margate CT9 1UN, United Kingdom
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Visit Turner Contemporary, Kent’s largest visual arts venue
Turner Contemporary is the warehouse-like structure that you see on the exact site that held the house of J. W Turner. During any time of your visit, you will find at least four or five exhibitions going on and it will be a great chance to sample the incredible artistic prowess that resides in the region. You will see sculptures, paintings, and other pieces of art made by artists from the region and collections obtained from different parts of the world. If you love art, then a trip to this museum will be very inspiring.
Turner Contemporary
Address: Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG, United Kingdom
Website: Turner Contemporary
11. Experience thrill and adventure at the Escapement
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Escapement features a series of secret rooms and passageways that will take you on an adventurous journey, starting from an ancient Egyptian tomb to a ship roaming somewhere in the Seven Seas. Once you get into the rooms, you will have only 60 minutes to find your way out, so be sure to spend your time wisely in solving the riddles and discovering the web of clues that will give you the key to your way out.
The Escapement
Address: 65 Northdown Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2RJ, United Kingdom
Website: The Escapement
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 23 - 40 USD (depends on number of players)
12. Take a pleasant stroll through Dane Park
If you don’t want to spend time along the coast, then you can move a little bit inland and locate the beautiful Dane Park. This is a classic Victorian park, complete with a memorial fountain and ornamental wrought iron gates. It is a nice place for a family day out, given that it has a spacious children area that will thoroughly entertain your kids, away from the beaches and arcades.
Dane Park
Address: Park Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 1RN, United Kingdom
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
Explore the seaside town of Margate
You will have an array of incredible attractions to explore in Margate. If you are pressed for time and you are after the best experiences, use our above list of the best things to do in Margate, UK.
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