Margate Magic: Sun, Sea, and Unforgettable Summer Nights

Margate has completely shed its tired seaside identity, reinventing itself as the UK’s coolest coastal escape. Wandering through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, you are instantly hit by its creative energy. Beyond the vibrant indie boutiques and retro vintage shops, you will find contemporary art at the world-famous Turner Contemporary, mysterious underground history inside the 4.6-million-shell cavern of the Shell Grotto, and classic coastal tradition at the historic Walpole Bay Tidal Pool. The food scene is equally electric.

You can savor small plates and natural wine right on the Harbour Arm at Sargasso, enjoy hyper-local sustainable seafood at Angela’s and Dory’s, grab a wood-fired sourdough pizza from Great British Pizza Co to eat on the beach steps, or pick up a fresh crab roll right by the waves at the cliffside Snak Shack.

The Summer Soundtrack at Dreamland

The crown jewel of any summer trip to Margate is undoubtedly Dreamland. More than just a restored vintage amusement park, it transforms every summer into one of the country’s premier outdoor gig destinations through the Margate Summer Series. Before the music even starts, you can lace up quad skates at the indoor roller disco, play classic arcade games, grab gourmet street food, or ride the historic wooden Scenic Railway, the oldest coaster in the UK, for sweeping coastal views.

The venue's open-air Scenic Stage brings an incredible mix of world-class talent to the coast. This summer's powerhouse lineup spans pop, indie, rock, and dance, featuring legends like Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Paul Weller, OMD, and The Human League alongside modern icons such as Bastille, Fatboy Slim, Royal Blood, Kesha, The Streets, and The Kooks. The atmospheric mix of salty ocean air, festival-level sound, vintage rides, and orange-tinted sunsets creates an electric party vibe that standard music venues simply cannot match. Margate delivers the ultimate British summer getaway.