13 fabulous things to see & do when visiting Margate in 2025
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting place to visit, Margate should definitely be on your list! I’ve always enjoyed visiting Margate and I think that this charming seaside town has something for everyone, from beautiful sandy beaches and cool historical sites to quirky shops and delicious food.
Whether you’re interested in exploring mysterious caves, riding vintage roller coasters, or just relaxing by the sea, Margate has it all. Join me as I take you on a journey through some of the best attractions and hidden gems that make Margate such a special place to visit.
1. Turner Contemporary Art Gallery
My first stop in Margate is usually the Turner Contemporary art gallery. Opened over a decade ago, amid a blaze of publicity, it was part of a grand plan to help rejuvenate the town, badly hit by high unemployment levels, under investment as well as helping to bring accessible art collections to areas outside London.
Set on the sea front, the modern sloped building is certainly very accessible but some exhibitions can be a little bit underwhelming.
There is a rare miniature self portrait of Turner himself, but otherwise not much about the artist’s time in Margate, such as a permanent exhibition, which might have provided visitors with a good introduction to his work and link to the town and its sea views and shades of light which so influenced his work.
- Address: Rendezvous, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HG
- Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Closed: Monday and Tuesday
- Ticket Prices: Free
2. The Old Kent Market
The Old Kent Market is a fun and lively place to visit. It opened in 2015 in a historical building that used to be a cinema. Inside, it’s like a mini village with lots of different stalls and shops.
You can find all sorts of things there, like delicious food from around the world, handmade crafts, vinyl records, and even craft ales and cocktails. You can get freshly baked bread and cakes from Gina’s Bakery or get a drink from the The Little Prince, which is the UK’s smallest pub.
- Address: 8 Fort Hill, Margate, CT9 1HD
- Opening Times: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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3. Dreamland
There is so much amazing history linked to Dreamland and every time I visit it is like a great nostalgic trip. It first opened way back in 1920, making it one of the oldest amusement parks in the UK.
You can still ride the vintage rides, especially the Scenic Railway, which is the oldest wooden rollercoaster in the country. There is also the Big Wheel, the Dodgems and lots of other old-fashioned rides and some newer ones, so there’s something for everyone.
You can play retro arcade games, try roller skating or catch a live concert here. Dreamland is usually open from spring through summer and it’s a great place to visit with family and friends for a fun day out!
- Address: Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XJ
- Opening Times: Dreamland’s opening times can vary depending on the season and events. Generally, the park is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM during weekends and school holidays.
- Ticket Prices: Ticket prices can also vary based on the time of year and the events happening at the park.
- Standard Entry: £10-£15 per person
- Unlimited Ride Wristbands: Around £20-£25 per person, which gives you access to all the rides for the day.
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4. Margate Old Town & Independent Shops
The streets in the Old Town are also pretty to walk around. If you walk further inland, to the area around Love Lane, where Turner lived. King Street was the site of ‘King’ Cobb and his original brewery business with it’s high entrances for horse driven carts with bundles of hops piled high ready to quench the thirst of men from land and sea.
When I visit Margate I always walk through the Old Town. It’s full of quirky independent gift shops, cafes, retro clothes shops and antique shops. The shops sometimes change, so it’s always lovely to find something new. Last time I bought lapsang souchsong and silver needles tea at a small tea emporium.
- Werkhaus: A stylish shop with a mix of vintage and contemporary homeware and gifts.
- Madam Popoff Vintage: A treasure trove for vintage clothing and accessories.
- The Margate Bookshop: An independent bookstore with a carefully curated selection of books.
- Môr: A boutique offering a range of beautiful homeware and lifestyle products.
- Haeckels: A local brand of fabulous natural skincare products made from seaweed.
- Junk Deluxe: Specializes in mid-century modern furniture and home accessories.
- Etcetera: A quirky shop selling a variety of eclectic items, from home decor to gifts.
- Rat Race Margate: A cool spot for vintage clothing.
- King Street Studio & Gallery: An art gallery and shop showcasing local artists.
- The Old Bank Book Shop: Another wonderful bookstore located in a historic bank building.
5. Margate Beach & the site of the Bathing Machine
Where the Old Town now meets the sea was the site of the first coastal bathing resort with the use of sea water thought to aid in preventing diseases of the glands. It was here that Benjamin Beale, a local Quaker, first displayed his invention of the Bathing Machine.
Margate beach is easily accessible from the main street and unlike some other Kent beaches, this one has a lovely sand!
6. The Tudor House
The Tudor House was built around 1525 and it’s one of the oldest buildings in Margate and is a great example of what houses looked like during the Tudor period. It was originally a yeoman farmer’s house, which means it belonged to a farmer who owned and worked his own land.
The house is known as a “transitional house,” which means it shows the change from medieval hall houses to more modern homes with separate rooms. Inside, you can see how people lived during the Tudor times. There are old fireplaces, wooden beams, and even some original furniture.
The house has a lovely garden where you can walk around and imagine what it was like to live there hundreds of years ago.
- Address: King Street, Margate, Kent, CT9 1QE
- Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Closed: Monday and Tuesday
- Ticket Prices: Adults: £2.50, Concessions (Students, Seniors): £1.50, Children (under 16): Free
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7. Shell Grotto
I visited The Shell Grotto for the first time back in late 1990s and always thought it was mysterious and fascinating place to visit. It was discovered in 1835 by a man named James Newlove. He found it by accident when he was digging a duck pond in his garden and his son, Joshua, noticed an opening in the ground. When they explored further, they found an underground passageway covered in millions of shells.
No one really knows who built the Shell Grotto or why. Some people think it might be an ancient temple, while others believe it was just a quirky project by someone in the 1700s or 1800s.
The grotto is made up of about 4.6 million shells, including mussels, oysters, whelks, and cockles, all arranged in intricate patterns and designs on the walls and ceilings.
When you visit the Shell Grotto, you can walk through the winding passageways and see all the beautiful shell mosaics up close. The main chamber, called the Altar Room, is especially impressive with very detailed designs. The grotto also has a small museum and gift shop where you can learn more about its history and buy souvenirs.
- Address: Grotto Hill, Margate, Kent, CT9 2BU
- Opening Times: Thursday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed: Monday to Wednesday
- Ticket Prices: Adults: £4.50, Concessions (Students, Seniors): £4.00, Children (4-15 years): £2.00, Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children): £10.00
8. The Margate Harbour Arm & Statue
The rain was still falling but before the light faded there was time for an atmospheric walk back along the jetty. With the seagulls hovering overhead and the waders searching for food on the shore below, this is an excellent spot to view the whole of the Margate marine parade opposite. There are also several bars, cafes and Margate’s own micro pub here, so it’s the perfect place to stop for a bit.
At the end of the jetty, there’s a fetching brass statue of a woman made entirely from sea shells and scallops. It was here, at a spot near what is now the Tourist Information Centre, that many of the flotilla of small boats unloaded the besieged troops evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk during the second world war.
9. Margate Lido Complex
The Margate Lido Complex has seen better days but still holds a lot of charm and nostalgia. It was built in 1926 by John Henry Iles, who wanted to create a modern leisure complex for people to enjoy.
The Lido was designed with Art Deco style and included terraces for sunbathing, cafes, restaurants, and a large swimming pool that stretched out into the sea. Back in its heyday, the Margate Lido was a busy place where families and friends would come to relax, swim, and have fun. There was even a theatre and dance hall.
Today, the Lido isn’t as grand as it once was. Parts of it have fallen into disrepair, and some sections have even collapsed. However, you can still visit the site and get a sense of its former glory.
The remains of the old terraces and pool are still visible, and it’s easy to imagine what it must have been like in its prime. The area around the Lido also offers beautiful views of the sea, making it a nice spot for a walk or to take some photos.
- Address: Margate Lido Complex, 1 Ethelbert Terrace, Margate, Kent, CT9 1RX
10. Drapers Windmill
I’ve visited the Draper’s Windmill few times over the years and I’m always fascinated by it’s history that takes you back to the days when wind power was used to grind grain into flour.
The windmill was built in 1845 by John Holman, a well-known millwright from Canterbury. It’s a traditional “smock mill,” which means it has a wooden tower, or “smock,” sitting on a brick base.
For many years, Draper’s Windmill was an important part of the local community. Farmers would bring their grain to be milled, and the miller would use the power of the wind to turn the heavy millstones and grind the grain into flour. The windmill operated successfully for many decades, but like many old mills, it eventually fell out of use as modern technology took over.
Today, Draper’s Windmill has been lovingly restored and is open to the public during the summer months. When you visit, you can see the impressive wooden machinery inside and learn about how the windmill works.
There are knowledgeable volunteers who can explain the history of the mill and demonstrate how the millstones grind grain. You can even climb up to the top of the mill and get a great view of the surrounding area.
- Address: St Peter’s Footpath, Dane Valley, Margate, Kent, CT9 2SP
- Opening Times: Sundays: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (from June to September), the windmill is also open for special events and by appointment if volunteers are onsite.
- Ticket Prices: Adults: £2.00, Children: 50p, Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children): £4.50
11. Margate Caves
Another quirky attraction, that’s definitely worth seeing are Margate Caves. They were originally dug in the 18th century as a chalk mine. People would dig out the chalk to use for building materials and for making lime. After the mining stopped, the caves were pretty much forgotten until they were rediscovered in the 19th century.
In 1863, a man named Francis Forster found the caves again and decided to turn them into a tourist attraction. He decorated the walls with paintings and carvings, making the caves even more interesting to visit. Over the years, the caves have been used for different things, including as a Victorian tourist attraction and even as an air raid shelter during World War II.
There’s also a visitor centre where you can learn more about the history of the caves and the people who used them. They have displays and exhibits that explain how the caves were made and what they were used for over the years.
- Address: 1 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 1FG
- Opening Times: Friday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Ticket Prices: Adults: £5.00, Concessions (Students, Seniors): £4.00, Children (4-16 years): £2.50, Family Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children): £12.00
12. Margate Museum
This based in the old town hall, which is an interesting building itself, dating back to 1898. The museum is mainly about Margate’s history, from its early days as a small fishing village to its transformation into a popular seaside resort.
One of the coolest parts is learning about Margate’s maritime heritage. The museum has displays about shipwrecks, lifeboats, and the brave people who saved lives at sea. You can also see artefacts from the Victorian era when Margate became a favourite holiday spot for people looking to escape the city and enjoy the beach.
Another interesting section of the museum is dedicated to the history of the town’s entertainment. Margate was known for its amusement parks, like Dreamland, and its theatres, which hosted famous performers. The museum has old posters, photographs, and even some of the original rides and attractions that made Margate a fun place to visit.
The museum is run by volunteers who are really passionate about preserving and sharing Margate’s history. They can tell you lots of interesting stories and answer any questions you might have.
- Address: Market Place, Margate, Kent, CT9 1ER
- Opening Times: Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Ticket Prices: Adults: £2.00, Concessions (Students, Seniors): £1.50, Children (under 16) with a paying adult: Free
13. Mechanical Elephant Pub
The Mechanical Elephant Pub is a popular spot with an interesting name and a bit of history behind it. The pub is part of the J D Wetherspoon chain and is located on Marine Terrace, right by the seafront. It opened in 2000 and quickly became a favourite place for both locals and tourists to grab a drink and a meal.
The name “Mechanical Elephant” comes from a unique attraction that used to be on Margate’s seafront. Back in the early 1950s, there was an actual mechanical elephant ride that children could enjoy. This quirky ride was a big hit and left a lasting impression on the town, which is why the pub was named after it.
When you visit the Mechanical Elephant Pub, you can expect a friendly atmosphere and a wide variety of food and drinks. Like other Wetherspoon pubs, it offers a good selection of beers, ales, and ciders, as well as a menu full of tasty and affordable meals.
- Address: 28-30 Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XJ
- Opening Times: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to Midnight
This blog post was originally published on 4 July 2015 and last updated on 4 November 2024
