Margate offers unusual underground sites, distinctive architecture, art and waterside walks. If you want to focus on historical attractions and contemporary culture, you can explore the town through a wide range of themes. Margate Main Sands is approximately 200 metres long and has a promenade and wooden beach walkways. This combination gives you an initial point of reference for deciding what to focus on before looking for a hotel in Margate.
Underground Sites and Distinctive Architecture
The Winter Gardens stand out for their unique design, featuring a semicircular amphitheatre. They are also the only known example of a winter garden built within a chalk cliff. Architecture enthusiasts will find not only an unusual structure here, but also an exceptional connection to the chalk.
Margate Caves were originally established as a chalk mine in the 18th century. They are 94.2 metres long and 12.2 metres high at their tallest point. Their history also includes reopening in August 2019, when a new community building, a café, a shop, and exhibition and interpretation spaces were introduced.
Another underground site is the Shell Grotto. A winding staircase cut into the chalk leads down to the passageways. The grotto was discovered in 1835. Its winding passages are 70 feet (21 metres) long and decorated with 4.6 million shells. The Caves and the Shell Grotto therefore offer two different historical points of interest for a stay that is not focused solely on galleries.
Art and Discoveries
Turner Contemporary is a gallery of contemporary and historical art. Its ongoing programme includes temporary exhibitions, events and educational activities. As individual exhibitions change, it is worth checking the current programme before your visit. If travelling by bus, Cecil Square is the nearest bus stop to Turner Contemporary; check the current service for your journey.
The Crab Museum offers interactive ways to learn about nature. It is the only museum in Europe dedicated to decapod crustaceans. At The WonderWorks, visitors can find out how Hornby, Airfix, CORGI, Scalextric and Pocher make their models and kits. Features there include miniature worlds and exhibits. These places have different focuses: nature and learning take centre stage at the Crab Museum, while The WonderWorks focuses on models and how they are made.
Beach, Walks and Getting There
Margate Main Sands is also home to the boating pool, a Grade II listed structure. Built in 1937, it adds a piece of architectural history to the beach. For longer walks, the Viking Coastal Trail is another option: this 32-mile (51.4-kilometre) shared circular route passes Turner Contemporary and can be used on foot or by bike. It runs along flat, traffic-free promenades, wide seawalls and quiet country roads. Check current route conditions before setting out.
If you would also like to explore art outdoors, The Pride Art Map offers a walk along an art trail through Margate. You should confirm the route is available before your visit. Margate Pride—a yearly celebration of queer people, their lives, allies and communities in Margate and Kent—is a separate event. The event programme may change.
For travel to Margate, Southeastern operates hourly high-speed trains from London St Pancras and Stratford International. The journey to Margate station takes less than 90 minutes. As timetables can change, check your connection before setting off. Whether you want to shape your stay around art and architecture or walks and the beach, these different themes provide a concrete basis for choosing what to explore and finding suitable accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Wadhurst, Lymington, Canterbury, Hailsham, Hastingleigh, Southampton, Herons Ghyll
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