The Bay (Margate) (Margate Sands)

Margate’s central beach offers visitors an award-winning wide, sandy stretch backed by a traditional seaside resort.  A boardwalk gives easy access to the beach and is the perfect spot to while away a sunny afternoon while young visitors enjoy splashing at the water’s edge and playing in the sand. Older children may enjoy a trip to Dreamland - Margate’s iconic theme-park, which re-opened in 2015.  

The Old Town Quarter of Margate has undergone a successful regeneration in recent years, now providing a good selection of shabby-chic shops and atmospheric cafes - it is known by some as Shoreditch-on-Sea.  

The Turner Contemporary, on the seafront is a short walk from the beach.  This prestigious, modern gallery was opened in 2011 on the precise spot where the great artist himself once lived.

This part of the Thanet coastline offers a variety of interesting walks, either towards Botany Bay and Broadstairs, or in the other direction, towards Birchington. 

For visitors who enjoy wild swimming but want to avoid dangerous sea currents a trip to Grade II listed Walpole Bay tidal swimming pool in Cliftonville is a must.  The water in the pool is deep and the walls are high, so this 80-year old leisure facility is not really suitable for children or non-swimmers.