The arrival of the Turner Contemporary and development of the fabulous Old Town has given this seaside town a much-needed boost and it's once again a must-visit destination

10 good reasons to visit Margate

The arrival of the Turner Contemporary and development of the fabulous Old Town has given this seaside town a much-needed boost and it’s once again a must-visit destination

A new cultural heart

The Turner Contemporary (01843 233000) is the largest art exhibition space in the south east, apart from London, with free admissions, and it’s raison d’�tre is to ‘bridge the gap between historical and contemporary art’. Exhibitions this month include Turner and the Elements (until 13 May) and on view is the iconic Rodin marble sculpture The Kiss and there’s also Hamish Fulton’s Walk one-man show (until 7 May). Tracy Emin’s major solo exhibition begins on 26 May.

Creative Quarter

Margate Old Town, near the Market Place, is a wonderful area that is full of surprises. It’s recognised as Margate’s bohemian creative quarter, where the old buildings are converted into artists’ studios, galleries, lovely shops, bars and restaurants. Other highlights in town that are not to be missed include the part-medieval Tudor House (not open to the public), built around 1525, and the beautiful Victorian clock tower.

Tree of Life

Millions of shells cover the walls of The Shell Grotto (01843 220008), a winding underground passage leading to a mysterious chamber. Speculations are that it was once the meeting place for a secret sect or an ancient sun temple, and the shapes and patterns of the decorative shells suggest odd symbols, such as trees of life, gods and goddesses. There’s also a mystery museum with ‘grotto’ artefacts and a caf�.

The roaring twenties

The splendid Walpole Bay Hotel (01843 221703) has been restored to its former glory and doubles as a hotel and living museum, depicting its 1920’s glory days. Anyone can wander in to see the exhibits, mostly on the second floor: glassware, paintings and photographs, a ‘naperie’ (framed decorated napkins), 1920s gated lift, servants’ call system, gentlemen’s urinals, a collection of toasters, a dumb waiter and some original gas lamps.

Dramatic Dioramas

The Powell-Cotton museum at Quex Park (01843 842168) has a collection of natural history specimens from Asia and Africa. These include fantastic ‘Dioramas,’ methods of displaying mounted mammals in recreations of their natural habitats. There are also eight galleries of exhibits of local archaeology, textiles, weaponry, ceramics, jade and ivory from around the world, plus a beautiful 15-acre garden.

Most haunted

Built in 1787 and refurbished in Victorian days, the magnificent Victorian Theatre Royal (0845 1301786) is southern England’s most haunted playhouse. Shows for May include Rent, a rock opera (2-5 May) and The Fureys and Davey Arthur (19 May). The famous Winter Gardens (01843 296111) is a big multi-purpose theatre/exhibition hall, with shows for May including Jim Davidson (4 May), adult comedy Wildboyz (13 May) and family musical Once Upon a Dream (19 May).

Mods and Rockers

The main theme at Margate Museum (01843 231213) is Margate from the 18th century to the present day, and there are original paintings, photographs, prints, posters, programmes and memorabilia as well as a preserved Victorian police station and cells. There are comprehensive displays on Margate by the sea and Margate at War. It is open at weekends only and forthcoming exhibitions are Viking Margate (May), Mods and Rockers (June) and Calamity Coast (July).

Rockpool rambles

The lovely main sands, granted the European Blue Flag award, offer a promenade and boardwalk, donkey rides, tidal boating pool, shops and amusements. You can go on a ‘Roc Doc’ walk or ‘Rockpool Ramble’, the harbour and piazza have local fishing boats and stalls for whelks and jellied eels, while there are fine restaurants and caf�s in the piazza. Walpole Bay, along the coast, has water ski facilities and a beach promenade.

Feeling energetic?

Hartsdown Leisure Centre (01843 226221) has a fitness studio, a dance studio, multi-purpose sports hall and an indoor children’s play area. There’s also a 25-metre swimming pool and teaching pool, plus children’s ‘Wet ’n Wild’ swimming sessions with a giant inflatable island. Excellent Waves diner for refreshments.

Right on track

The old Hornby factory is now the Hornby Visitor Centre (01843 233525) and here you’ll see wonderful displays of Hornby trains, plus fantastic layouts of Corgi, Airfix and Scalextric toys. In addition there’s a fine collection of models of British cathedrals made by a Victorian architectural model maker. There are activities for older children and adults, detailed train layouts, and even gold-plated trains. On offer in the shop are trains, cars and models plus there’s a Thomas the Tank Engine layout.

Getting there

Margate is on the eastern tip of Kent, on the northern edge of the Isle of Thanet. From London (73 miles distant) take the M25 and then follow the M2 (linked to the M25), then the A299 beyond Herne Bay, and turn off on to the A28 to Margate. Alternatively the A28 links Canterbury to the town (15 miles) and also to Ashford, where there’s the High Speed rail link to London and the continent. Margate station has regular trains to London (taking around two hours) and the rest of Kent.

Satnav postcode: CT9 1AT