Margate and Cliftonville Area
Margate is world renowned for its association with the artist, Joseph Mallord William Turner. He loved the area's sunsets, light and the vast main sands which are better on the feet than the pebbles at Whitstable, Brighton or Hythe. Our sandy beaches seem to stretch to infinity and have been popular since the 18th century. It was here that donkey rides were originally introduced in 1890 and also deckchairs in 1898.
In addition to traditional seaside pleasures, today there is a new and vibrant atmosphere inthe town with the coming of the Turner Contemporary art gallery and the regeneration of the Old Town, with its array of bijoux retro shops and unique eateries and cafes. These happily jostle for attention with a mixture of ‘kiss-me-quick’ seaside stalls, fish and chips, candy floss and Margate rock.
We are excited that a reimagined Dreamland amusement park is now open being one of the world’s first amusement parks to be filled with exciting and nostalgic historical rides including the listed and completely restored wooden Scenic Railway, side shows and all the fun of the fair. A wristband to ride all day costs about £20.00. There is also a nostalgic roller disco for when the rain comes and food is in our opinion good value and there is a section of foods available including alcoholic beverages for the parents. In 2017 after a 25 million pounds investment the park has moved forward and is hosting outside concerts and events and has been completely landscaped with new rides and features. Dreamland is well worth a visit.
From bed and breakfast guest houses to the elegant Sands Hotel and the quirky 1950's style Walpole Bay Hotel, there is plenty of accommodation to suit all budgets. A plethora of delightful restaurants from around the world greet you from the moment you venture into the town, including the Indian influenced Ambrette, the cosy Harbour Café and a raft of Greek, Italian and Asian eateries to accommodate all tastes. On the Harbour Arm there are also stylish places to eat and drink overlooking the harbour as well as artists’ studio and galleries.
Each year in August the town throbs to the sound of South America as the carnival comes to Margate while the annual jazz festival attracts top names and gets people dancing in the streets around the Old Town. The three theatres in Margate all have something special to offer reflecting the historical importance of providing evening and indoor entertainment for residents and visitors. The Theatre Royal is the second oldest theater in the country, the Tom Thumb is one of the smallest theatres in the world and the Winter Gardens theatre has been attracting headline acts for more than 100 years.
Nearby Cliftonville offers a completely different atmosphere to Margate. The elegant Palm Bay with its attractive and individual detached houses and vast cliff top greensward is a veritable oasis of peace and tranquillity. While the long and bustling Northdown Road offers a variety of individual shops as well as a wide selection of bric-a-brac stores and second-hand shops, a veritable paradise for erstwhile bargain hunters. Why not have a coffee at one of the two Costa Coffees in Margate.
