The sun always shines in Margate


The sun always shines in Margate. 

Ok, this isn’t strictly true. But the sun has shone every time I’ve visited this glorious seaside town, reflecting its beams off the sea and making everything golden. And even if the sun isn’t there to warm your face and light the cobbled streets, it’s well worth getting yourself down to Margate anyway. If you need convincing, here are 3 reasons to visit.

1) The beach

Many of Britain’s beaches are pebbly affairs. Yes, they’re majestic in all their grey glory, but sometimes you need to feel the sand between your toes. Margate’s beach consists of a beautiful, butter yellow stretch of sand with easy access to the sea for all your swimming and ankle wading needs. My last visit to Margate fell fortuitously during a hot spell, which meant I could spend the whole day stretched out on my towel, interspersing my reading session with invigorating dips in the sea. I even bought a parasol from one of the little beach shops. 

I’m not the only one drawn to this beach. People have been flocking to Margate’s sandy shores since the 18th century. So whilst the bathing suits might look a little different now, our innate desire to feel the sand between our toes hasn’t changed.   

2) The food

Fish and chips remains a staple of the British seaside, especially the kind that is generously doused in lip-tingling salt and vinegar and comes wrapped in grease-soaked paper. Margate is no different, and there are plenty of places along the seafront row of shops to get your fix. Just beware of the gigantic, hungry looking seagulls. They’ll always win in a staring contest and if you’re not careful, they’ll swoop off with your fish straight from the wooden fork. 




But beyond the seaside staples, Margate has some real dining gems to satisfy your tastebuds. Here are a few places to try.


This chic restaurant is housed in what used to be the old (you guessed it) post office. It’s elegantly decked out with plush midnight blue seating and plenty of hanging plants to keep your inner hipster happy. And the food is incredible. My boyfriend Jorge and I enjoyed a beautiful birthday meal here last year where we feasted on the juiciest giant prawns. 


You won’t get better dining views in Margate than from the Bay Restaurant, situated in the Sands Hotel. Jorge and I stayed here for our first trip out of London since lockdown and, in Jorge’s words, we ate as though it was our last day on earth. Hungry after the two hour train journey from Stratford, our first port of call was lunch, where we ate fresh fish, seafood and salty chips, washed down with obligatory glasses of wine. It was so good in fact that we came back for dinner and did it all again, this time adding some kind of peanut butter pudding to the mix.





This vegan, vibrant hippy haven is the place to come for brightly coloured juices, avocado-laden toast and saintly desserts. It makes for the perfect breakfast spot, as their healthy yet decadently tasty offerings will leave you feeling set up for a busy day of reading at the beach. 

3) The art

The artist Turner once claimed that “the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe". It’s certainly a bold statement. But having visited Broadstairs, Ramsgate and Margate - the three main towns in the Thanet District - I can attest to their loveliness. If you’ve never experienced a sunset on the Kentish coast, book a trip pronto and feast your eyes on the pinky green palettes. 

Beautiful skies aside, Margate’s artistic spirit is palpable. This is partly thanks to the Turner Contemporary, an impressive gallery on the seafront filled with sunlight and free exhibitions galore. They’ll be reopening their doors to visitors again in 2021, and I for one will be heading back there as soon as they do for a dose of inspiration.   




With long-haul trips to far-flung destinations likely to be off the table for the foreseeable future, I recommend heading to Margate for your next holiday. Sure, it might not be exotic. And no, it might not offer the warmer climes you’ve been dreaming of. But it's got plenty of soul. And for me, the sun always shines in Margate. 


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