Margate from London: A Perfect Day Trip Itinerary
If you’re looking for an entertaining coastal escape, a day trip to Margate from London couldn’t be simpler. With direct trains from London, sea views that stretch for miles, and plenty to explore on foot, Margate blends old-school seaside nostalgia with a fresh creative edge.
I love exploring the UK coast by train and travelled to Margate without a car. I found it a really easy trip to make. From underground caves to modern art galleries and, of course, that all important golden sand, this guide shows you how to make the most of a day in Margate.
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Where to stay
We stayed in Westgate, as it was cheaper than Margate, with more availability, and only 3 minutes from Margate by train.
How to get to Margate from London without a car
Margate is well connected to London via high-speed trains, and the coastal towns nearby, like Westgate and Broadstairs, are easy to reach by train, bus or bike.
Trains leave from London St Pancras and London Victoria and go direct to Margate. Journey time is from 1.5 hours.
In addition to the trains from London to Margate, trains also run frequently between Margate and Westgate. Journey time is only three minutes, making it easy to visit both Margate and Westgate in one day.
Cycle paths and walking routes also connect the local beaches and towns.
Morning: uncover underground Margate
Margate isn’t only about beaches. The town has a quirky underground side worth exploring on a day trip. Two spots stand out: the Margate Caves and the Shell Grotto. Both are within a ten-minute walk of the town centre, so they’re easy to add into your plans without needing transport.
At the Margate Caves you’ll head down into a small but fascinating network carved below the town. The displays give a snapshot of Margate’s early development and local history. It won’t take you more than half an hour to see, but it’s well worth the visit. There’s also a café and shop if you want a short break afterwards.
The Shell Grotto is something else entirely. Step inside and you’ll find an extraordinary cavern lined with millions of shells in intricate patterns. No one really knows who created it or why, which makes it all the more intriguing.
It reminded me of a place I visited on Elba in Italy, another underground space that left me with more questions than answers. My late Mum and I used to love visiting the shell shops of Cornwall when I was a child, so this homage to shells in all their glory felt especially meaningful to me.
Entry is affordable at both sites, around £5 each, and each has a gift shop as well as a café at the caves. Together they make a perfect pair of stops if you want to see a side of Margate that goes well beyond the seafront.
Exploring underground is only one angle on Margate. The town has built a reputation for its art and culture, which makes a great next stop on your day trip.
Discover arty Margate
Margate has reinvented itself as a cultural hub, and the best place to start is at Turner Contemporary.
The gallery sits right on the seafront in a striking modern building. Entry is free, which is always welcome, but I was a little underwhelmed by how small the collection on display felt compared to the scale of the building.
It’s still worth stepping inside, especially as you can also look out to sea to spot the Anthony Gormley statue, which only appears when the tide is low enough.
Art spills out beyond just this gallery. To start with, there’s the Tracey Emin neon sign on the information centre right outside. Then, take a walk down the Harbour Arm for views back across Margate beach and to get a photo of the Shell Lady statue.
Elsewhere, around the Old Town you’ll notice independent studios, colourful murals and small galleries tucked between cafés and shops.
Street art makes for fun photo opportunities as you wander. This part of town has a lively, creative feel, and it’s also a good spot to pause for lunch or coffee.
For something a little different, the Margate Museum offers insight into the town’s history through local art and artefacts. It’s smaller in scale, but adds more detail if you want to understand how Margate grew into the place it is today.
Lunch
Margate’s food scene is full of beachside bites and cosy cafés.
We had lunch at Mill Place café, which has fantastic antique décor, including bunting, old plates on the walls, and a really lovely local atmosphere. The café is a short walk away from the Old Town centre of Margate, and, as such, is much less busy. The homemade quiche was delicious.
Alternatively, check out the Margate Bus Café, which is exactly what it sounds like, a café in and around an old red bus, located right on the seafront.
Afternoon at Margate beach
Spend a fun afternoon in Margate indulging in traditional British seaside activities like swimming at one of the tidal pools, building sandcastles, or having a swim in the sea.
Mr Flip Flops Included had a quick dip on our trip and it wasn’t too freezing in August, but it will be very different outside of summer.
The sand at Margate beach is soft and golden. It’s a brilliant beach to spend time on, but it does get busy at the weekend.
Pro tip: to find a quieter stretch of beach, walk 10 minutes east or west, and you’ll find vast swathes of beach with no one on it. Although the sand may not be quite as nice as the sand in the centre of Margate, the open space is lovely.
If you like amusement arcades and rides, visit the iconic Dreamland. This place has been a Margate icon since the 1870s and there are attractions for both kids and big kids alike. The rides are only open in Spring and Summer but there are regular events at the venue throughout the year.
To round your afternoon in Margate off, buy ice creams and visit Margate’s trendy shops and bars. I must mention the Margate Bookshop, which I loved getting some books from. Watch out for the seagulls though, one of them stole our ice cream.
Evening: explore Westgate-On-Sea
As the sky turns pink and the beach clears out, it’s time to take a short trip up the coast. Westgate is only three minutes by train from Margate and is a great place to spend the evening.
Eat at the Michelin-mentioned restaurant Quince, which is pretty much opposite the station. The food is delicious. Small portions, but big flavours. You can see why this place has won accolades. It reminds me of Fancett’s, one of the top restaurants in Cambridge.
We had a range of delicious dishes, including the aubergine caponata, Spanish tortilla, and Basque cheesecake. All washed down with a delicious limoncello and prosecco cocktail with basil.
After dinner, head to the independent Carlton Cinema, around the corner from Quince. This place is so cheap. Tickets cost only £3.50, which is an incredible bargain. The cinema is set in the old Town Hall, giving it a unique feel and it’s a great way to end your day in Margate.
Weekend extension: Broadstairs and Botany Bay
If you’ve got more than a day in Margate, it’s worth extending the trip to nearby Broadstairs and Botany Bay. Broadstairs has a Charles Dickens connection, as the famous author used to live here, and the small Dickens House Museum gives a glimpse into his life.
Don’t miss a trip to the imposing scenery of Botany Bay whilst you’re in the area. You can hop on a train from Margate to Broadstairs in just a few minutes, or follow the coast under your own steam.
The traffic-free promenade makes an easy bike ride or walk, with constant sea views all the way. It takes fifteen minutes by bike from Margate to Botany Bay, or fifty-five minutes to walk from Broadstairs station.
Botany Bay itself is the real highlight here. The green topped chalk cliffs are spectacular. You can appreciate them from above or by heading down onto the beach. At weekends this part of the coast is popular, so expect plenty of visitors on the sand, with picnics galore.
I enjoyed walking between the towering rock formations from down on the sand. Although you need to watch the tide carefully. It’s easy to get caught out and, in my case, end up with very wet feet.