Home » A Weekend in Margate. Since the opening of the Turner Contemporary art gallery, Margate has been revitalised. In tandem, the cobbled Old Town has filled up with independent shops, retro stores and art hubs. The renowned gallerist and Margate-raised artist are old friends and jointly bought the site in Earlier this year, Emin announced plans to create an archive of her work in Margate and an art school too. Then, of course, there are the beaches, the reason why Londoners have always flocked here, first by hoy cargo sailing ships , then by paddle steamer, and then by rail.
A little further west is Walpole Bay, with its tidal bathing pool and rockpools at low tide; the sunsets you will see here were painted by JMW Turner more than two centuries ago. For nature lovers, meanwhile, Thanet chalk reef is a seaweed sanctuary, nurturing around different varieties, including bladderwrack and sea lettuce; look out for occasional guided tours thanetcoast.
We continue walking along the prom towards the Old Town, admiring dolphin-embellished lampposts along the way. Perched at the end is the Shell Lady sculpture by Ann Carrington. Discovered in , theories about its origins abound, including a Phoenician temple and a Georgian folly. Intrigued, we examine the intricate patterns incorporating hearts, flowers, stars, even a serpent and a corn goddess.
We are fascinated but none the wiser. Photo credit Thanet District Council. Around the corner at 8 Broad Street is The Light Keeper, focusing on vintage lights and antique door furniture as well as My Doris cushions and Sixton London beanies — if only my rucksack was bigger! There are books galore and a Windsor chair to sit on while you browse, you can even buy coffee there. I purchase a copy of Secret Margate by Andy Bull, along with some mugs of coffee to drink outside in the pleasant old square.
We choose a starter of Ramsgate crab and salmon belly fish cake, followed by day boat sea bass and skate wing, served with triple cooked chips. At the cake counter we choose thick wedges of custard and treacle tarts and steaming pots of tea , barletta. Saturday PM The restored vintage theme park has 14 rides, including a Big Wheel, a Wurlitzer and a rare Scenic Railway. We pay for a few rides and leap onto the Galloper for some joyous escapism free to enter, buy ride tickets inside, dreamland.
