When the sun is shining in the UK, there's quite literally no reason to go abroad, specifically went the Kent coast has everything you could need. We're talking nice beaches, lovely seafront walks, and more restaurants, wine bars and pubs than you could dream of visiting in a single weekend.
And one place in particular that has put itself on the map recently is Margate. The seaside town on England's south east coast is bursting with charm, thanks to its traditional seaside appeal paired with vibey coffee spots and really-quite-lovely bars.
It doesn't promise to be polished around the edges, and that's also part of the allure: You don't quite know where you're going to end up, because the options are endless. Who needs the crowds of East Sussex's Brighton when you've got the beauty of Margate?
Where to stay in Margate
While there are plenty of hotels and pubs-with-rooms in Margate, nothing beats having somewhere to chill out, make your own drinks and enjoy a room with lots of space. Which is where Keepers Cottages, an independent business with 170 hand-picked properties across Kent, come in.
In Margate, Grovesnor Place is a great option for doing all of the above, while it's also perfectly placed for exploring everything the town has to offer - walkable from the beach, train station, and ample restaurants and bars, as well as Dreamland and beyond.
The thoughtfully restored Georgian townhouse has two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, alongside a gorgeous living room and tastefully done kitchen - it genuinely does feel straight out of The Modern House. Full of natural light and wooden floorboards, the decor is refined and chic, bringing together vintage furniture with luxe features, as well as many happy houseplants.
Everyone's clicking on...
It also has a lovely courtyard garden, a perfect sun trap for enjoying the UK's heatwave this year - and all the amenities you could need for a weekend away. It sleeps four adults really comfortably, to the extent you might struggle to make it out of of the house to explore all that Margate has to offer.
Where to eat and drink in Margate
So! Many! Places! You could ask five different locals for the best places to grab a pint, or a fish and chips, and the chances are you'll receive multiple responses. It's just that good. But some I can personally recommend...
Angela's
If you're after a genuinely brilliant fish dinner, you have to go to Angela's. It's an icon in Margate for a reason, and the food is second to none. The setting is rustic and simple-but-chic and situated on the seafront, serving local seafood alongside vegetable-based dishes (no meat here!), with a menu which changes daily. You have to book ahead, and we'd fully recommend the scallops (they're giant!) with lentils and the hake with tomato and capers, and if the crab toast is available, it's a must.
Sargasso
Nestled into the sea wall on Margate's harbour arm, Sargasso is the wine bar on everyone's lips right now. Alongside a brilliant selection of cocktails (negroni please), beers and non-alcoholic options, they have a huge wine list, covering everything from orange to chilled reds. Nibble on sharing small plates likes taramasalata and fried calamari with aioli, all while admiring the sensational view.
Pomus Margate
Another wine bar in the centre of town, Pomus has a really lovely feel. Think moody lighting, a comparably impressive list of cocktails, and sharing plates galore. The menu is all gluten-free (so maybe give the focaccia a miss...) and we can vouch that everything we had was delicious, with particular shout outs for the pork tomahawk and smoked cods roe.
Peter's Fish Factory
What's a visit to the seaside without a fish and chips? Peter's Fish Factory is a Margate institution, with people queuing outside the door at all hours of the day - but with good reason. The fish and chips is fresh, hot and crunchy - exactly what you want after a day on the beach (or at the pub...)
Giant Coffee
Tucked away down one of Margate's side streets is Giant Coffee, a cute coffee shop with an extensive menu. While they nail the likes of a flat white and Americanos, they also offer blueberry matchas, caramel banana iced lattes and even coconut cloud coffees. The branding is also super cute, too.
Rise & Bun
What's better than a cinnamon bun covered in cream cheese? A cinnamon bun covered in biscoff spread and biscuit pieces, of course. Rise & Bun is the home of artisan pastries, made from soft homemade dough, generously filled with a smooth mixture.
What to do in Margate
Walk along the coast
Like many English seaside towns, you can walk for miles along the sea from Margate in either direction, which is a lovely way to spend a morning. Grab a coffee or a bun from one of the many coffee shops (we also liked Big Shot) and go forth!
Wonder around the vintage and gift shops
The centre of Margate Old Town is made up of lots of little winding roads, some of them pedestrianised, and there's a market on a Saturday morning, meaning you can spend hours looking at cute trinkets and gifts. Keep an eye out for The Store Collective, Madam Popoff Vintage, WerkHaus and Dulcie, while you'll also undoubtedly stumble on lots of little shops of your own.
Visit the Turner Contemporary
The art gallery sits right by the sea wall, and features a rolling collection of exhibitions and art. It's free entry, and doesn't require booking, which means it's really easy to incorporate into your visit. Right now, they're exhibiting David Hockney's Sunley Window (2026), while you can also spot a cast-iron Antony Gormley sculpture called Another Time out to sea if the tides are right.
Go to Dreamland
Part of Margate's magic is Dreamland, a vintage style amusement park with a ferris wheel, roller disco and arcade games. OK, so it's pretty kitsch, but a fun way to spend half an hour, where they also hold festivals and gigs.
Consider your next weekend away, sorted!
Dusty Baxter-Wright is an award-winning journalist and the Entertainment and Lifestyle Director at Cosmopolitan, having previously worked at Sugarscape. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work covering pop culture, careers, interiors and travel, and oversees the site’s Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. As a journalist for the best part of a decade, she has interviewed everyone from Louis Theroux and Channing Tatum to Margot Robbie and Ncuti Gatwa, while she has also spoken on Times Radio and BBC Radio. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram here.
