Ten Things You HAVE To Do In Margate This Summer!
Hello friends! I’m back again with a fun post which I’m hoping will help you plan your ultimate trip to Margate this summer! I live in Margate and have done for the past 3 years, plus I have my very own Airbnb holiday apartment here too, so I like to create lists of amazing things to do for our guests to help them have the best time ever here too. There are so many cool things to do in Margate. What I’m trying to say is… I got your back!
Shell Grotto
Let’s start with something super weird and super fun! I’m talking about Shell Grotto, Margates answer to Stone Henge. Why is it here?! What was it created for? How old is it? No-one knows! Margate’s own little mystery! It’s in a funny part of town, right in the middle of residential houses, so if you are planning a trip and you think you’re going in the wrong direction, the chances are, you’re not! Shell Grotto is a series of weird underground passageways and quite frankly, it’s brilliant!
Bingo!
I love going to Beacon Bingo! It’s not for everyone, but I think it’s pretty amazing! Don’t do the electronic bingo, do the old school paper style bingo, it’s a LOT more fun! Revel in the old School seaside charm of going to the bingo and you never know, you might get lucky and win a whole heap o’ gold coins!
Angela’s
The current plaice to be! It’s a fish / seafood restaurant right on the edge of the old town and the seafront, it’s small with only 12 covers per sitting, but it’s pretty special. Just an FYI, you might want to book ahead for Angela’s, it’s smallness makes it special, but it also makes this hot-spot even harder to get in to! This summer we had guests booking in 3 weeks ahead and we had other guests on a waiting list for a table! No joke!
Dreamland
It *almost* goes without saying, but if you come to Margate this summer, you have to visit Dreamland! The Rainbow Slides are brilliant fun, as are the Waltzers, the big wheel and the Scenic Railway. I think park entry is free if you just want to walk around (but I think you have to pre-book your free entry wristbands), otherwise you can pay-as-you-go for rides and you can also buy a wristband for all rides ahead. I always recommend booking ahead as you save 25% off your entrance fee, which will probably cover the price of a portion of chips and an ice cream!
Peter’s Fish Factory
In my humble opinion, Peter’s Fish Factory is the ONLY place to get your proper fish and chips! It’s small and take-out only, but it’s located right by the steps on the seafront, so you can eat your chips and watch the sun go down. In fact, it’s so lovely that it’s how I spent my birthday evening, just me, Jon and Gordon and a pile of chips! Oh and if you are a fan of mushy peas, I highly suggest trying a pea fritter, it’s amazing!
Stay In An Airbnb
OK, so I’m totally biased, but there’s not many hotels here in Margate, but there’s LOADS of amazing airbnb’s to chose from, including mine. I’m gonna drop my Margate airbnb link here, but honestly, there’s sooooo many good airbnb apartments here, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Cliff’s
Ah Cliff’s! A hipsters paradise! They do a great oat milk latte, a mean avocado on toast and once you’ve finished your breakfast you can do some record shopping or take a yoga class. PS. It’s so hip in here, they sell records AND cassette tapes! But in all seriousness, I love it here, it’s really cool, friendly and welcoming, the food and coffee is brilliant too!
Fort Road Yard
It’s always fun to have a poke around Fort Road Yard. There’s loads of brilliant antiques, vintage and fairground salvage to be found. The prices are pretty reasonable and the stock is weird, wonderful and actually surprisingly useful. I got my giant fairground cactus and my vintage locker from here. You can also get a selfie with a giant bear if you wish!
A Little Bit Shop (and So Many Other Brilliant Shops In Margate Old Town)
There’s loads of great little shops in Margate, especially in the Old Town. Personally I LOVE Little Bit which is a cute and colourful store selling homewears, jewellery, gifts and the odd piece of clothing. Polly the owner is the nicest and most colourful person you’ll ever meet and she has a beautiful dog called Dude. No joke! I also love Ramsey & Williams, which is a great vintage and antique store, the owners have incredible taste. I also love Mar Mar (coffee and plants), Werkhouse (utilitarian vintage and niche designer brands), Peony Vintage (vintage clothes), Margate Superstore (vintage clothes) and MOR (gifts). But honestly, there’s oodles of great stores to poke around!
Walk On The Beach To See The Beach Huts
If you are like me and you love a good beach hut, I recommend a walk up the beach to the multicoloured joy which is Westbrook beach and all the beach huts. It’s really fun and en-route you can stop off at the Bus Cafe and a snack and / or a cup of tea. And for those of us who don’t like to eat on a bus, there’s plenty of picnic benches outside so you can eat a hearty brunch and look out at the sea!
And A Few Extras…
I can’t leave this post without mentioning a few more amazing things you have to do in Margate, including the Turner Contemporary Gallery, which is a great art gallery with free entry. It’s built on the same plot that Turner used to stay in a guest house and look out the sea. It still boasts an amazing view of the sea which also includes an Anthony Gormley statue in the water which you can only see at low tide. Also, there’s a beautiful Tracey Emin neon sign on Droit House which you should look out for, just next to the Turner. Just up the coast, Fort’s have the BEST breakfast in town and Margate Radio make the best tea and coffee. Urchin Wines is super special for dinner, that’s up towards Cliftonville and the Bottle Shop is great for drinks. No trip to the seaside is complete without an ice cream and Melt make the best gelato in town!
♥
…And there we have it, Ten Things You HAVE To Do In Margate This Summer! Let me know if you have any questions, I’m always happy to help!
