The Best Things To Do in Margate
If you’re planning a trip to Margate, you already know it’s more than just a traditional seaside town. It’s a place where creative energy meets coastal charm, and where you can easily spend a day — or a whole weekend — exploring, eating well, and soaking up the atmosphere.
The food scene is thriving, the beach is always just a few steps away, and there’s a real mix of culture, nostalgia and independent spirit that makes Margate feel unlike anywhere else.
This guide pulls together the best of it, from local favourites and hidden gems to relaxed ways to spend your time between meals.
Getting to Margate from London
Direct trains (Southeastern) from London St Pancras take approximately 90 minutes, with regular departures throughout the day. Tickets typically cost around £11–16 when booked in advance.
Driving from London to Margate takes around 90 minutes as well under normal traffic, covering about 75 miles (121 km) via the A2/M2. There’s paid parking in Margate, though spaces fill fast on summer weekends and during local events.
Things to do in Margate
Relax on Margate Beach
Margate’s main beach is right by the town centre. Long, sandy, and perfect for stretching out with a towel or going for a paddle.
At low tide, you’ll find the tidal pool, a large, man-made seawater pool built into the sand that locals love for a sheltered swim. It's a great way to cool off without braving the open sea (especially if the wind's picked up).
Just along the promenade, you’ll spot classic amusement rides — think retro charm: a helter-skelter, carousel, and games for kids (and nostalgic adults). Grab an ice cream and enjoy the proper seaside atmosphere.
Do keep in mind it gets very crowded in the summer, especially on hot weekends. If you prefer a quieter spot, a morning visit or wandering further west along the coast can offer a bit more breathing room.
We’ll be honest, the main beach is not our vibe, we preferred spending our time doing the things below.
Swim at Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
If you’re after a proper sea swim without the waves and crowds of tourists, Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is the spot. Tucked a little further along the coast from the main beach, it’s a local favourite. Peaceful, atmospheric, and completely free to use.
Covering around 4 acres, it’s believed to be the largest tidal pool in the UK, stretching 450ft in length and up to 550ft wide at the shore. At high tide, parts of it reach 6ft deep, so it’s a genuine swim, not just a paddle.
Although it’s been around since the 1930s, the pool saw a new wave of interest when the brand formerly known as Haeckels, Margate’s cult natural skincare brand, helped to revive and promote it as a cold-water swimming destination. They’ve even run events and swims here to champion sea bathing and wellness.
It’s best visited at low tide, when the pool is fully exposed, so be sure to check the tide times before you set off.
Warm Up at the Community Sauna
Just above Walpole Bay, tucked beside the clifftop, you’ll find one of Margate’s most quietly powerful experiences — the Community Sauna, created by the company formerly known as Haeckels.
This is no private wellness retreat. It’s free for everyone, always, run by volunteers and supported by generous donations from those who use it. It’s inspired by the communal sauna culture of Reykjavik, where locals gather, talk, and warm up after a cold sea swim. It reminded us of the vibes we felt when travelling in Copenhagen.
The sauna’s story began back in 2014, when a Kickstarter campaign raised over £30,000 to build what became known as the Sea Bathing Machine — a beautiful wooden sauna on wheels. Every person who contributed to the dream has their name permanently laser-etched into its walls, turning it into a kind of living community artwork.
You can find out more or support the project here.
The sauna is open daily from 9 am to 3 am.
Stay at Margate House
If you're making a weekend of it, Margate House is the kind of place that makes you want to unpack and settle in. Just a few steps from the sea, this boutique hotel sits in a handsome Victorian terrace and is a masterclass in how to do small-scale hospitality with style and heart.
Each of the nine rooms has its own personality, but the overall feel is bold, playful, and unmistakably Margate. Think joyful pinks, clever design touches, and a balance of modern comfort with seaside charm.
The toiletries are all from Formerly known as Haeckles, adding a local, luxury touch with scents that evoke the sea just outside. In the mornings, you receive breakfast baskets from The Good Egg, packed with Middle Eastern flavours.
A café-restaurant-bar has recently opened since our visit, with an outdoor terrace, and if the rumours are true, a spa might be just around the corner too.
👉 Check availability at Margate House
Eat and Drink: Margate’s Booming Dining Scene
Margate’s food and drink scene has exploded in recent years. What used to be a few chippies and pubs is now a genuinely exciting mix of neighbourhood restaurants, wine bars, serious coffee spots and laid-back places doing brunch properly. There’s a strong focus on seasonal, local ingredients — especially seafood — but also enough variety to suit whatever mood you’re in.
Off Licence - An incredible cocktail bar
Forts - For coffee and brunch
Here are some of our favourite spots to check out:
Bottega Caruso – A little slice of southern Italy tucked away in Margate. Handmade pasta, rich ragùs, and hearty family recipes passed down through generations. It’s one of the best restaurants in town, so book early.
La Cantina – Right next door to Bottega Caruso, this intimate natural wine bar is perfect for a pre-dinner glass or a long, slow evening. Great wines by the glass and easygoing plates if you just want snacks.
Sargasso – Sitting on the Harbour Arm, this cult favourite serves up unfussy seafood, seasonal small plates and great wine, with sea views to boot. It's walk-ins only, so time it right.
Peter’s Fish Factory – Right by the main beach, this is your go-to for classic fish and chips. Grab a box and eat it on the sea wall with the gulls for company.
Angela’s & Dory’s – Sister spots for beautiful, sustainably sourced seafood. Angela’s is the more refined sit-down spot, while Dory’s (just up the road) is a relaxed, counter-style space ideal for oysters and a glass of something cold.
The Good Egg – Brilliant brunch and coffee, with Middle Eastern influences and a loyal London following. Expect shakshuka, challah French toast and very good babka.
Forts – A strong local favourite for coffee and brunch with a no-nonsense attitude and excellent playlists.
Off Licence – A tiny, effortlessly cool cocktail bar serving serious drinks without the pretence. Great for a nightcap or pre-dinner Negroni.
Pasta at Bottega Caruso
Hike the Coastal Path to Broadstairs
One of the best things to do while in Margate is to walk the coastal path to Broadstairs — a scenic, beach-hopping route that’s as much about the journey as the destination.
The walk takes you along the chalky cliff tops and sandy bays of the Thanet coastline, passing a string of charming beaches along the way: Palm Bay, Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay, and Joss Bay all offer great spots to pause for a paddle or picnic. You’ll spot plenty of beach huts, tide pools, and the occasional friendly dog walker.
It’s about a 90-minute walk (5 miles) one way, depending on how often you stop. The path is mostly flat and easy to follow, with sweeping sea views the entire way. Just make sure to check tide times, especially if you plan to dip down onto the sand.
Once you reach Broadstairs, you can reward yourself with an ice cream and food; there are plenty of places to choose from and we’ll write up a guide once we’ve gone back and explored the area a bit more.
Getting back to Margate is easy, there is a train that leaves every 20 minutes and it takes 4 minutes to get back.
Above, you got a guide to our experience in Margate, which revolved heavily around being active and eating. Below are some popular things to do that we found during our research and have bookmarked for our next visit.
Catch a Show at Tom Thumb Theatre
The Tom Thumb Theatre is one of Margate’s hidden treasures. With just 45 seats, a cosy bar, and fairy lights strung across classic red-velvet décor, it feels like stepping into a magical, miniature cinema from another era.
Play, Eat, and Dance at Dreamland
Dreamland is Margate’s picture-perfect playground, a vibrant mix of vintage funfair, live events, street food and retro charm
As one of the oldest-surviving amusement parks in Great Britain, Dreamland has been reimagined for modern times, keeping its vintage soul while adding a steady stream of culture and creativity.
In winter, when the rollercoasters take a break, Dreamland transforms into a cosy venue for live music, film nights, club events and more.
See What’s On at Turner Contemporary
Right on the seafront, Turner Contemporary is Margate’s cultural crown jewel. Named after J.M.W. Turner — who was inspired by the town’s epic skies — this striking modern gallery showcases a rotating programme of free exhibitions from both British and international artists.
Step Inside the Mysterious Shell Grotto
Tucked away down a quiet residential street, Shell Grotto is one of Margate’s most intriguing sights, and no one really knows why it exists.
Discovered in 1835 and still shrouded in mystery, this ornate underground passageway is lined with around 4.6 million seashells, arranged in swirling mosaics that cover every inch of its walls and ceiling. That’s 2,000 square feet of shell-covered surface, all crafted with extraordinary detail and care.
Explore the Margate Caves
Just a short stroll from the Old Town, the Margate Caves offer a glimpse into the town’s more mysterious side. Originally dug as a chalk mine in the 18th century, the caves were forgotten for over a century before being rediscovered in the 1800s and eventually opened to the public.
Whether you’re coming for the food, the sea air, or a bit of everything, Margate makes for an ideal escape from London, easy to reach and packed with personality.
You can spend your time lazing on the sand or wild swimming at Walpole Bay, wandering through underground caves and shell-covered grottoes, gallery-hopping and vintage shopping, or simply eating your way from brunch to a Negroni nightcap.
There’s something about Margate that manages to be both relaxed and buzzing at the same time. A coastal town that hasn’t lost its charm, but has gained some serious edge.
More from Margate
Planning a trip to Margate? This guide covers the best things to do in town. From sea swims and underground caves to amazing food, natural wine and live music. Whether you’re visiting for the day or making a weekend of it, here’s how to do Margate right.