Margate vs Hastings
It’s Margate vs Hastings in the battle of the best British seaside towns. I asked Lord John Bower of Hastings and Lady Clare Freeman of Margate about their favourite spots in their respective kingdoms. Who wins for you? After some on-the-job research, I reckon I’ve made my choice…
Restaurants
Hastings
A small bite of Americana right on the Hastings seafront. If you’re craving high-quality burgers, hotdogs, fries and milkshakes then this is the place for you. Drink an amazing ice cream float while watching the hot summer sun beam down on the pretty seafront.
Another Pearl right by the water. Webbe’s Fish Restaurant gets continuously high reviews from its customers, and it’s not hard to see why. Incredibly fresh seafood, impeccable service, fantastic attention to detail and a menu any fish fan would fall in love with. If you’re looking for the best of Hasting’s culinary hotspots, then this would be a good place to start.
Margate
From one seafood restaurant, and one town, to another. It’s Margate’s turn to put up its first contender, and it’s not hard to see why Hantverk & Found made Clare’s list of the top places to eat. This tiny little establishment serves a range of freshly caught seafood, including squid, crab, scallops and oysters. If you want purity and style, then this is the place to go.
Part of the Turner Gallery, this cafe is only open for an evening meal on Fridays and Saturdays, but is otherwise open during the day for the rest of the week. Whenever you choose to go, you’ll have the pleasure of unspoilt views out across the sea and a seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from independent suppliers within 40 kilometres of Margate. The option of eating outside on the terrace is a lovely treat, but with the amount of natural light from the massive windows it’s perfect whatever the weather.
Cafes
Hastings
If you have a sweet tooth then Di Polas in Hastings might just become your new favourite in the seaside town. A small parlour serving top-notch Italian ice cream in a variety of classics and more unusual flavours, Di Polas is known for its friendly staff and generous portion sizes. If the weather is good, you can sit outside on their own tables and people watch. Buon appetito!
If you are tired of the usual commercial coffee shops, of which Hastings does boast the normal amount, then Hanushka is the revitalising tonic you need. This independent coffee house is known for its wonderful collection of books, comfy nooks and crannies for curling up with a freshly brewed coffee and its dog-friendly nature.
Margate
What have you got for us, coffee-wise Margate? First up is ‘Word Up!’, a very new but very trendy little cafe in the heart of town. Not shy of embracing bold signage, this establishment has an array of neon, painted and light-up signs hung haphazardly around the walls, giving it a Shoreditch in Las Vegas feel. If you’re not a fan of gentrification then this place may not be for you; but if you can take it, then they serve a mean cup of coffee and some great sweet treats.
This pretty Patisserie is far more traditional than its Word Up! companion, but tradition doesn’t mean it’s lacking in style and taste. Batchelors serves an amazing array of cakes, pastries, baked goods and strudels as well as some appetising savoury treats. Take a seat with one of their freshly brewed coffees, and work your way through the entire shop.
Pubs and Bars
Hastings
Popular gastropub with a range of tempting food options to suit all gastronomic needs. The Crown Inn has a great following in Hastings, with a loyal fanbase all more than happy to promote it in any conversation. Not only do they have a great menu, the booze selection is also on point with a set selection beers, ciders, wines and sparkling, as well as some local ales and craft beers.
Despite the name, Cocktails might not necessarily be the main event at this bar/restaurant in the heart of Hastings. Walkers are known locally for their fantastic steaks, so make a beeline for here if you’re a carnivorous type. If you do want to go for the cocktail menu, then you won’t be disappointed and apparently the Spiced Island Ice Tea is particularly great. In a surprising twist, they also have an excellent takeaway menu — John can recommend that especially.
Margate
The Tap Room is an adorably tiny, but totally perfect little bar/pub in Margate. Proving that good things come in small packages, this cute venue is very adept at promoting local ales, ciders and beers as well as getting in brews from further afield. A trip here means a friendly chat with a knowledgable member of staff, a tasty beverage and a cracking evening.
Fez is not the sort of place you go if you want middle-of-the-road. With an outstanding vinyl collection, a tempting range of traditional and quirky beers and ciders (the Rhubarb cider was particularly interesting) and a total decor treasure trove it’s easy to see why these gentlemen have a big smile on their face.
Shops
Hastings
Hastings Old Town is full of special little shops including a tobacconist, second-hand vinyl, a sweet shop and an array of cute book stores — but Bells Bicycles stands out due to its impossibly cute interior and its spot-on specialist know-how. This bicycle shop isn’t just for show; the staff are incredible knowledgable, and they offer servicing and repairs alongside a range of practical cycling goods. However, if you just want to browse and dream about cycling up and down lanes on your vintage cycle, then this is also the place for you.
Also a place you can sit down and enjoy your purchases, this delicatessen has one of the best ranges of cheese I’ve ever seen. It’s easy to get lost putting together the perfect cheeseboard here, and thats before you’ve even cast an eye over the charcuterie and patisserie options. If you do choose to take a seat and have a coffee on the small homely tables, then be prepared to take a bag of their coffee away with you; it’s delicious!
Margate
This place is the living, breathing embodiment of what ‘vintage living’ used to be; reduce, reuse, recycle. With a very enthusiastic owner always keen to have a friendly chat, this place is hard to miss as you walk through the town. You’re bound to find something you’ll love, so a trip inside is dangerous if you’re protecting your bank balance — however this place is a very well known Margate establishment, so I guess you could put it down to research?
A combination of art supplies and gallery, Lovelys lives up to its name. Patient, welcoming service and a truly impressive stock of both craft tools and art for sale make this the perfect treat for any art lovers. Even if you don’t see yourself as particularly artistic, pop in; I think you’ll find yourself inspired!
Attractions
Hastings
Despite a rocky start as local protest groups complained about the gallery’s location to the The Stade, the Jerwood has proven itself to be a valuable addition to Hasting’s cultural scene. Home to a well-curated range of post-WWI art, this place is worth a trip if you are in the area. The small gallery cafe offers exceptional views across the water, so make sure to pop in for a coffee once you’ve had your visual feast.
Adventure Golf has the power to tear entire family groups apart, and it’s lucky that this humorous renovated course with a piratical theme has enough distractions to ensure at least some relationships will survive. Well priced, and open late, this is a great way to get some fresh sea air whilst honing your hand-eye coordination.
Margate
A combination of well-curated exhibits and free admission (it does suggest a donation) makes this one of the highlights of Margate. There’s a changing programme throughout the year, so a return to the gallery promises something new each time. The spectacular views across the bay from the large windows only serve to enhance the physical art and give the whole environment a calming, focused feel.
Dreamland in Margate is Instagram heaven with its collection of retro arcades, rides and stalls. It feels a little like stepping back into the past, when a trip to the seaside meant candy-floss and a ride on the ferris wheel. The wheel here is totally wonderful, and on a sunny day it’s possible to see right across the town and the bay from it’s crest. After having been closed for many years, it’s a testament to the town of Margate that they chose to renovate and restore this little slice of heaven rather than do the usual ‘block of flats’ development that is so common today.
The Verdict:
Well, I think for me there can be only one winner…
…well bloody done Margate. Hastings, you were close with your pretty old town and incredible seafood, but it was the added touch of Margate’s adorable retro buzz that gave them the edge. What do you think? Here are the links to the full Guides; do correct me if I’m wrong.
Hastings: The Best Of : http://pearlsha.re/S1T1yF
Margate: The Best Of : http://pearlsha.re/uyC6PR
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