Down To Margate
After a decade or more of neglect, Margate is slowly making its way back out of the doldrums to become the jewel in Thanet's crown once more.
Margate, for those of you who don't know it and are too young to remember the Only Fools and Horses special “Jolly Boys Outing”, is a small seaside town in the South East of Kent. It has good transport links from London making it a popular destination for day-trippers. Like many seaside towns in the UK Margate fell into decline when package holidays abroad became popular and in some cases a cheaper option. However, over the past few years investment in the area is once again causing a well-deserved buzz.
The Old Town
Where there were once boarded up shops there are now cafes, restaurants and bars and in the Old Town, there is an array of independent shops selling vintage clothes, Antiques, high-end gifts, an olde worlde sweet shop to name but a few. They are well worth a visit and a credit to the people that own them. For they are helping to rejuvenate an area that had been forgotten and neglected for way too long.
The Old Kent Market
Inside The Old Kent Market, which was once home to the Old Parade cinema many years ago. You can visit Kents smallest pub, The Little Prince. And browse various other delights such as pop up shops like Mamma Mia Pizzeria, Rat Race Margate, Gina’s Old Kent Bakery, the Gallery OverDrawn Dayz and also take a break in BB’s Cafe and Bar that is inside a red open-top bus. some of the pop up stalls change throughout the year too, so there is always a reason to keep coming back.
The Turner Contemporary
If it's the arts that floats your boat, then the Turner Contemporary will be the place to visit. The Turner is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year (2021) and have plenty of events planned over the coming year to mark the occasion. With regular exhibitions changes and workshops for families during the school holidays so whether you are an art novice or a bit of an expert it has something for everyone. Then, if you wish to see Margate from a different point of view why not pop along the harbour arm.
The Harbour Arm
The harbour arm was built between 1812 and 1815. It was refurbished in 2008 so now there is an assortment of food and drink outlets where you can enjoy refreshments and a bite to eat whilst taking in the view of the sunsets Turner was so inspired by. At the end of the Harbour Arm, you will find the lighthouse that was rebuilt in 1955 and the bronze shell lady Mrs Booth named after the landlady JMW Turner lodged with. It is said that Turner and Mrs Booth were involved romantically and she supported him financially until he died in 1851. The Turner centre is said to be situated on the site where Mrs Booth’s guest house once was.
Hidden Treasures
Margate Caves
The caves have come a long way since they were first popular in the victorian era and beyond. Lack of maintenance over the years saw the caves close in 2004. By 2011 a committee called The Friends of Margate Caves was formed and they campaigned for the caves to be restored to their former glory and some. Margate Caves are something different to do and has something for all age groups. Friendly staff and a team of local volunteers are on hand to tell you all about the caves which are steeped in a rich history ranging from the Iron age right up to the present day. They have rooted themselves in the local community by means of a Cafe, exhibition space and a multi-use function room. Long gone are the days when a lowly shed like hut, manned by an old gentleman that resembled Uncle Albert ran the caves, now they are an attraction to be proud of once more.
Shell Grotto
Another quirky hidden gem is the wonder that is the Shell Grotto. The exact history is unknown about the grotto. Just that it was discovered in 1835 by accident. It is said that the family who owned the land and house were developing it and due to a sinkhole, they came across the Grotto. Little did they know at the time it was actually his son who had discovered it nearly 18 months earlier whilst playing with his sister in the garden. Curiosity got the better of the boy when he found a cave-like hole in the ground. Climbing inside the boy came across a shell lined cave. Concerned he would be disciplined for crawling into a hole in the ground when it could have easily collapsed, he swore his sister to secrecy. Ever since it was found the Grotto has had people marvelling over its mysterious past but no documents about its origin have ever been discovered.
The Tudor House
Built in 1552 the Tudor House is the oldest building in Margate. The house is open on weekdays from 11 am - 3 pm with a very reasonable fee for adults and seniors, children under 16 go free. Looking rather out of place amongst much more modern architecture the Tudor House could be overlooked despite its location and size. It is an asset to the town though and deserves not to be overlooked.
Final Thoughts
Margate has come a long way over recent years. The town is sometimes described in hushed tones as it hasn't had the best of reputations over the years. All though there are elements of that still, it has definitely turned a corner. With people passionate about the area, investing in its buildings and changing them for the better or restoring them to their former glory things can only get better for Margate and it can finally be proud to be back on the map.
