Margate is a charming seaside town tucked away on the southeast coast of England in the county of Kent. Known for its sandy beaches, vibrant arts scene, and historic charm, Margate is the perfect spot for a day trip or a relaxed weekend getaway.
It’s just a couple of hours from London, making it a popular choice among city dwellers and tourists looking for a breath of fresh sea air. There are a few seaside towns worth visiting in the area, but if you’re spending one day by the seaside and Margate is your choice, then this 1-day Margate itinerary has you covered to get the best out of your coastal day trip.
Things to Do in Margate
Margate may be small, but it’s packed with must-see attractions that are on trend with Margate’s quirky vibe. Here are the top things to do in Margate:
Margate Beach
England isn’t a country famous for it’s beaches, but this 200 metre stretch of golden sand beach, Margate Main Sands, is a huge attraction in the town. You’ll find tide pools, a handful of fair games and more seagulls than you can throw a bagel at. It’s a popular spot for both visitors and locals to spend the day relaxing.
The beach is open year round – it is a beach after all! – but during the peak summer months of June to the start of September there are lifeguards and beach facilities available.
If you’re coming on a Margate day trip, chances are you don’t want to be carrying lots of bulky beach furniture, and lucky for you there are deck chair rentals available too! Or just pack a towel, pick a spot and enjoy the (hopefully) sun beach day!
Dreamland Margate
This might be the last place you’d expect to find a vintage amusement park, but Dreamland sits right in the middle of Margate and is home to retro rides, roller coasters, and plenty of fun for all ages.
It’s free to go in and just have a look around if you’re not a fan of the rides but want to see what all the fuss is about. But if you’d like to enjoy the rides you can buy tokens, with each ride costing £3* (1 token) or an unlimited day pass for £24.99*. Keep in mind that the rides are seasonal, opening during the spring and summer, so if you’re visiting outside of these times then you’ll only really be visiting Dreamland for one of the events they hold there.
Yep, Dreamland is also used an event venue, with festivals, gigs and other shows hosted here. It’s really convenient for visitors to Margate due to the proximity of car parks and the train station, but just be sure to check the time of the last train if you’re not staying in Margate.
Just to note, there are occasions where the last train back to London after an event gets overcrowded and can’t fit everyone on. If you’re coming for an event and have the time to spare, maybe have a look at staying the night and enjoying a weekend in Margate instead. Or leave a bit earlier to not be on the last train.
Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is a modern art gallery that sits on edge of the harbour, offering gorgeous sea views as you make your way in to check out the stunning exhibitions or relax in the on-site cafe. The exhibitions are all inspired by the works of Turner, who the gallery is named after, and are free to visit.
Margate Old Town
Wander through the quaint streets of Margate Old Town, filled with quirky shops, cafes, and galleries. The centre of the old town on a sunny day is such a lovely vibe, with the colourful buildings lining the streets, full of life as people pop in and out of the small, independent shops and the squares are full of people enjoying a meal or drinks with friends al fresco.
The Shell Grotto
There seems to be only one thing for certain about the shell grotto in Margate, and that’s that no-one really knows how it came to be. It’s a mysterious underground grotto decorated with millions of seashells, discovered sometime around 1835.
They know that the shells are all from the British Isles, but there’s no real idea when they were put up, why they were put up or what the area was used for. All that we know for sure is that you can see the grotto for yourself, and it’s certainly worth a look!
You’ll need about 30 minutes to visit Margate’s Shell Grotto, and it is underground so might not be great if you’re not a fan of confined spaces. It’s a 10-minute walk from the beach, and the opening days/hours vary depending on time of year so it’s be sure to check the Shell Grotto website for your time of visit.
Margate Caves
Margate Caves were originally dug as part of the chalk mining that took place in the local area in the 1700s. Some time after the mining was finished, the site was closed and pretty much forgotten about as the years passed, until the early 1800s when they were stumbled upon again.
Since mid-1800s the caves have been open as a tourist attraction, allowing the public to wander the caves and see the paintings on the walls. There have been periods of time where the caves were forced to close, due to the Second World War and later on due to health and safety concerns, but in 2019 after a significant effort from the local community the caves were reopened with a new visitor centre and a plan to keep the caves accessible for visitors for years to come.
It’s quite a strange feeling to be walking along residential streets to find the entrance to some caves, but how often do you get a chance to pop in and see some caves as you explore somewhere new, especially in England?
As with many places in Margate, the opening days/hours are quite seasonal so it’s best to check on the Margate Caves website to see when it’s open for your time of visit.
The Old Kent Market
The Old Kent Market is a quirky, 2-storey market hall that has food stalls and clothes shops. It’s not the biggest space but it’s definitely one to check out if you’re looking for a bite to eat or just want to see a double decker bus converted into a restaurant.
The clothing stores on the upper level are small, independent numbers that you can’t help but have a look in as you walk by on the narrow wooden walkway. It’s not a huge space upstairs but it adds to the charm of the overall market.
Arcades
It’s not a true visit to the British seaside if you don’t find yourself in one of the handful of arcades that line the seafront playing obnoxiously loud games. Alongside the classic 2p machines –if you’re not from the UK these sound horrible but are a real childhood throwback for many! – you’ll find video games, air hockey and the ever popular grab games where you can try your luck at winning a prize.
The Crab Museum
This is possibly one of my favourite things in the town and definitely one of the most unusual things to do in Margate, and it is exactly as the name suggests: a museum about crabs. It’s a free museum open Friday – Sunday, and it’ll take you 30-45 minutes to tour inside.
You’ll find the usual information boards and displays that you’d expect in a museum, but they’re full of humour and quirky ways to make the otherwise boring facts stick in your mind.
The Crab Museum is a fun, quirky thing to do in Margate and I’d definitely recommend a visit.
Is Margate Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for a day at the British seaside with a small, charming town centre to explore then Margate is ideal. It ticks all the boxes with a spacious beach, amusement arcades and range of independent food options.
It’s quite far from London for a day trip, but if you can get an early ride out of the capital then the journey is quite pleasant as it goes through the Kent countryside. It’s ideal to visit if you’re already in the Kent area, but you likely wouldn’t want more than a day or two in Margate unless you’re planning on spending time attending a festival or event at Dreamland, exploring the surrounding area and indulging in some beach time.
If you’re visiting Margate outside of the summer season, it’s worth considering how much you’ll be able to do and whether it’s worth the day trip. If you’re visiting for an event then the quirky town is absolutely worth seeing, but to visit on a cold, rainy day just to see the town means you won’t get to enjoy it at its best.
Extras to Fit in if There’s Time
If you have some extra time in Margate, here are a few more places to check out:
Margate Museum: Learn about the town’s rich history and maritime heritage.
Pie Factory Margate: Sadly no pies, but this art gallery and creative space showcases local talent, with exhibitions changing frequently.
Sea Scrub Sauna: Beachfront sauna sessions offering a unique experience for visitors in Margate. You can hire a private, traditional Nordic sauna or engage in ‘social sauna’ sessions where you get your own wooden barrel alongside others to…socially sauna. Is that a phrase?…it is now!
Where to Eat in Margate
For such a small town Margate has plenty of options for places to eat. As you walk along the beach promenade you’ll find plenty of options for places to eat, drink or grab a coffee. There’s the ol’ trusty Wetherspoons if you’re after affordable food and drinks, and there’s a row of colourful options also offering al fresco eating along The Parade.
Head to the squares around Margate Town Hall for a few more al fresco eating options, and quirky independent pubs and cafes. The ice cream bar at Ramsay & Williams is very popular, and you’ll often find the queue snaking around the corner and up the road to try a bite of the refreshing treats on offer.
For something a bit more quirky and to please different appetites, check out The Old Kent Market, an indoor food market that has a number of food stalls and even a double decker bus to eat in!
Things to Prebook
To make the most of your time in Margate, consider prebooking the following:
Turner Contemporary Exhibitions: Some special exhibitions may require advance booking.
Festival Tickets: If you’re heading to Margate to enjoy one of the local festivals or even one of the big name acts that are performing at Dreamland, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got your ticket before you come to Margate.
Dining Reservations: Margate can get really busy so if you’re planning to go to a specific place for dinner it’s a good idea to book a table in advance.
And of course, if you’re thinking of making your Margate day trip a Margate weekend trip, book your accommodation as far in advance as you can to make sure there’s availability.
How to Get to Margate
Considering that Margate is quite far from most places in England, it’s surprisingly easy to get to!
Train: High-speed trains run from London St Pancras to Margate in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch a slower service from London Victoria or London Charing Cross which will take closer to 1 hour 45 minutes.
Car: Margate is about a 2-hour drive from London via the M2 and A299.
Coach: National Express offers coach services from London Victoria Coach Station to Margate in under 3 hours. Possibly a long journey if it’s just a day trip, but a good option if the others don’t work for you.
How to Get Around
Margate is a compact town so it’s easy to get around by foot if you’ve got a good level of mobility. It’s not very hilly and there are limited cobblestone streets, usually with a smooth pavement to walk on anyway.
If you don’t want to walk you can jump on the local buses, grab a taxi or rent a bike. Use Google Maps or Citymapper to find the quickest way to your destination, and it’ll also let you know the best bus & times too.
When to Visit
Margate has its own charm throughout the year, but during winter you’ll find less time and desire for the beach due to the weather, so indoor activities will be top of the list. The bonus of visiting at this time is that the crowds will be much lighter, and you’ll find very affordable accommodation if you want to stay a bit longer in Margate.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are considered the shoulder seasons, with the weather being a little more temperamental. Chances are you’ll be able to find several days where the weather is warm enough to sit on the beach with clothes on, but not so hot you’ll get sweaty when you head off to explore. Perfect if you’re taking a day trip to Margate for a spot of sightseeing.
Summer (June to August) is peak visiting time for Margate, and all British seaside towns. You’ll find the town full of life with day trip visitors, people here for a beach holiday and festival goers to events like Margate Soul Festival. Opening hours are a little patchy throughout the year for attractions and the things to see in Margate, but with the rush of summer visitors most things are open for longer or more frequently.
With summer comes much better chance of weather to enjoy a cold drink in the al fresco bars, to strip down to swim costumes, sunbathe and enjoy the sea. Though be aware the water will still probably be a little cold…you’ll see that it doesn’t stop us going in though, sunshine fuels British people!
Is One Day Enough for Margate?
The compact seaside town is easy to explore in a day, and there’s not a huge amount to see and do so it’s very easy to spend half the day exploring and half the day lounging on the beach or in the themepark, Dreamland.
If you’ve got a desire to spend hours and hours soaking up the sun on the beach then you could spend more time in Margate, but in general yes, one day in Margate is enough, two days at a push. If you’re staying for longer than a day, there are plenty of charming apartments and B&Bs in Margate.
Extend Your Trip – Pair Margate With Another Location
Considering the time it takes to get to Margate, especially just on a day trip from London, if you’d like to make the journey worth it and stay in the area for a few days, there are plenty of other places to visit in the area of Kent. It’s a gorgeous part of England, known as the garden of England and is full of charming seaside towns and historic spots worth exploring.
Canterbury is a direct train ride from Margate, and in a little over 30 minutes you can be wandering the cobblestone historic streets of Canterbury, admiring the impressive cathedral or having a mooch around the many shops, bars and cafes. One day in Canterbury is enough to see the best of the city, and it’s perfect for history lovers!
Broadstairs and Ramsgate are two other seaside towns that are also on the same train line, offering direct access from Margate. If you’re a big walker, you could even walk between them! Both have a similar setup to Margate, with a beach to relax on, arcades to relive your childhood in and colourful shopping streets to explore.
Heading to the north of the Kent coastline, Herne Bay and Whitstable are two other seaside towns that welcome visitors in their droves when the sunshine breaks out. Charming piers, seafront fish & chips, sticks of rock…these towns give visitors the full British seaside experience, yet feel different enough from Margate to still be worth a visit.
An hour from Margate on the train, but on the way back to London if you’ve come from that way, Rochester is another historic British city. It’s got a cathedral, a castle – a modest castle, but a castle nonetheless! – and a quirky high street full of independent shops, old buildings and cafes.
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