A Summer Stay In Margate

I have a bit of an affinity for the Kent Coast.

During August we spent 5 nights in the seaside town of Margate and it felt like a proper Summer holiday!

Slow morning sea swims, beach strolls, THE most amazing sunsets and lots of really great food!

It’s been about 4 years since we last visited and this trip there was so much newness to explore.

Here’s a round up of best bits to bookmark if you find yourself heading there anytime soon …

STAY

Our abode was this air bnb in Cliftonville and for us this felt like the perfect location.

A 3 minute walk to the sea, 5 minute walk for coffee on Northdown Rd, 10 minute walk to Ethelbert Terrace and it’s parade of cute shops and bars by the Lido and a further 10 minutes into town.

Also worth a look:

The Albion Rooms, owned by The Libertines in a prime position facing the sea and overlooking the bandstand (We caught them performing here one afternoon!)

Fort Road Hotel A venture from the co-founder of Frieze magazine and fairs, a private residential developer and an Artist, providing a hospitality experience focused on food, art and design (it wasn’t yet open during our stay but we popped in for a sneak peek and a glass of wine in the bar)

Famed seafood restaurant Angela’s has rooms above the restaurant looking out onto the harbour. Staying here also guarantees a table at both Angelas & Dory’s.

EAT

Where to begin? Margate is an absolute foodie mecca!

The Nduja fried eggs at Forts really hit the spot after a morning swim, a cool little spot with a laid back vibe and views out to sea.

Wildes also do great breakfast brioche rolls and fresh juices.

For traditional English breakfast, greasy spoon style, head to Olympia on the sea front for builders tea on tap and doorstop thick slices of toast. (Dalby’s is apparently also good though we didn’t make it here)

Tiny seafood resto Angela’s didn’t disappoint but personally, I enjoyed our dinner at Waverley House even more! The seared scallops with Summer pea puree and chorizo vinaigrette were out of this world and the views out across the terrace showed off a stunner of a sunset.

*Seared scallops, pea puree, chorizo - Waverley House*

We headed to The George & Heart pub for their Pasta Slut residency, also delicious!

Another eve we kept it casual with pizza by the slice at Palms Pizzeria washed down with very cute but lethal, pocket negronis.

DRINK

My favourite watering hole of the trip was Margate Off Licence, a really cool bar and off licence on Ethelbert Terrace overlooking the old lido. The cocktails were perfection (the rosehip negroni and green chilli margarita are not to be missed!) perch on a bench out front and sip as you look out to sea!

A couple of doors down you have Daisy. Here we received the warmest of welcomes from a four legged, furry hostess and sampled deep fried babybels (WHAT a creation!) alongside a colourful cocktail list with fruity takes on classics.

A couple of doors down again (this parade just screams bar crawl doesn’t it?!) is Bar Nothing, open late until 2am at the weekends.

The Rose In June is a great little pub tucked away near The Winter Gardens. Their cellar used to be connected to the Margate Caves and is supposedly home to at least 3 ghosts. Makers of a mean Bloody Mary and some other delicious concoction I sampled called an Aperol Betty. I think this pub has the same owner as REY and it’s apparent they know how to mix up a great cocktail!

If you can see beyond its shopping centre setting, Mariachi tequila & mezcal bar is a real gem too. No gimmicks here. The interior design is beautiful - minimal, rustic, chic. The drinks menu is extensive and the staff are super knowledgeable. The husband and wife owners have travelled many times to Mexico’s West Coast and this is their passion project bringing a slice of Sayulita surf town, hippy chic to the Kent coast!

For the BEST coffee, head to STAPLE on the harbour arm. Cliffs coffee and record store and Scissortail coffee (also with an air bnb available in neighbouring Westgate-on-sea) are both worth a visit too.

SHOP

My treasure trove of seaside souvenirs include pretty candlesticks from jewellery designer Julia Wood-Power’s little shop Bounty, a book from The Margate Bookshop and a mug from local ceramicist Izzy McFarlane. I love this quote from her website …

I've always been drawn to making functional things as I love the idea of adding something a little bit special to elevate everyday activities. I like to think my mugs are tiny sculptures you can drink your morning coffee from!

SO sweet!

The Lido Stores is a carefully curated seafront store with a teeny weeny gallery nestled inside.

SEE & DO

The Turner Contemporary gallery, perfectly positioned at the base of the harbour arm with lots of natural light and views out to sea. Their shop collaborates with local Artists and Makers and you can eat and drink in their cafe Barletta

If the temperature permits, enjoy a wild sea swim at one of Margate’s 2 tidal pools. There’s one on Margate main sands and another - Walpole Bay Tidal pool- which was conveniently located at the end of our street! Walpole Bay Tidal Pool is the largest in the UK and currently benefits from local, marine based skincare brand Haeckels Sea Bathing Machine pitched up nearby, a community sauna that you can enjoy before taking a dip!

Watch a sunset. JMW Turner famously said that ‘‘the skies in Thanet are some of the loveliest in all Europe’’ After watching one in Margate you’ll find it hard to argue.