IN LOVE WITH MARGATE

Founded by the art curator Carl Freedman, this pushing-the-boundaries gallery promotes the work of emerging British and international artists across three industrial-looking gallery spaces. Guaranteed to provoke your thoughts. 

You can’t miss this building – it’s the row of shiny boxes on the seafront, built on the site of a house where Turner (the painter) once stayed. Inside, the exhibitions are likely to be equally edgy and impressive. And you can contemplate the art in the café, with its harbour views.

Can you fill a whole museum with stuff about crabs? Apparently, you can, and it’s eye-opening. You’ll learn how crabs affect our lives in many ways, from maintaining the oceans to developing new medicines. It’s worth more than a sideways glance.

You could say Margate wouldn’t be Margate without Dreamland. This fantastic fun palace has been a local icon since the 1870s. As well as the amusement park rides for thrill-seekers, the venue also boasts a great line-up of big-name acts for music lovers.

Some seaside towns have shell grottos, but few are as insanely big and fancy as this. Get ready for your mind to be well and truly blown. The fun fact is that no one knows who made it and why it’s there… mysterious. Where to find it? Grotto Hill, of course.

We wouldn’t blame you for not associating Margate with caves. But then it is a place full of surprises. Once a chalk mine, this subterranean wonderland is now a great all-weather visitor attraction. We also love that it’s a non-profit investing in local schools and groups.

One thing Margate has plenty of is seaweed. And Haeckels use it as the base for all their skincare products. In fact, they pick it by hand on the beach just steps away from their shop. Why seaweed? Well, turns out it’s great for your skin and the planet. Win-win.

If browsing indie bookshops gives you a thrill, we know one you’ll love for sure. Compact but thoughtfully stocked, The Margate Bookshop deals in new and second-hand titles and does teas and coffee, too (in case you intend to browse a while).

AARVEN is a treasure trove of ethical homeware and jewellery handmade by artisans around the globe. Wander in and discover woven tableware, hand-carved wooden utensils, Kenyan Stools, Ghanaian masks, Khotso blankets and much, much more.

In true Margate style, WerkHaus isn’t your run-of-the-mill clothes shop. They say they sell ‘trans-seasonal modern utilitarian womenswear’ – which you can translate as menswear for women (with pockets). They also stock carefully chosen vintage pieces.

The name says it all. Positive Retail upholds strong ethical principles. They work with a community of sellers to create a clothes retail experience that’s about shopping local, loving people, and staying circular. Find stylish preloved fashion for women and men.

Margaux is a lovely independent clothes store on the edge of the Old Town at the end of Love Lane. They do a great line in loungewear, swimwear, skincare, bags and socks to complement their main womenswear collections.

If you’re a sustainably minded shopper, head down to House De Ville on the High Street in Cliftonville. It’s a consciously curated collection of vintage clothing, jewellery and accessories beautifully presented by owner Jemelia Whitaker.  Using her background in costume styling she creates diversity across her range.

A charming boutique, offering a curated selection of homeware, gifts, and unique finds. Inspired by coastal living, their collection features beautiful ceramics, textiles, and art from independent makers. It’s the perfect spot to discover a special souvenir or a stylish addition to your home, capturing the essence of Margate’s creative spirit.

Located right on the Margate sands choose between a Nordic wood-fired barrel sauna or a modern electric cube sauna, both offering stunning sea views. Cold sea or barrel  plunge afterwards is optional! Communal changing rooms are available with showers too. Open all year round.

Whether a walker or cyclist, you’ll will find plenty to enjoy along the 32 mile circular route on the Isle of Thanet exploring Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.  Romans, Saints and Saxons landed here, artists and writers drew inspiration here, so get discovering why visitors have been coming for centuries