The charming seaside town of Margate, located on the Kent coast, has earned the nickname 'Shoreditch-on-Sea' due to the influx of creatives, particularly from East London. Just a 90-minute high-speed train ride from London St Pancras, it offers a perfect weekend escape for stressed Londoners seeking relaxation.
Why Margate Attracts Londoners
Margate is home to approximately 63,500 residents, with average house prices around £294,597—significantly lower than London's average of £671,641. The town boasts a rich history, including the Royal Sea Bathing Hospital built in 1791, one of the UK's earliest orthopaedic hospitals. It also pioneered donkey rides on beaches in the early 1800s.
Local councillor Barry Manners, who has lived in Margate for seven years, highlights the area's attractions. 'We’ve got among the best coastlines in the UK,' he says, noting that visitors can enjoy sandy beaches, chalk formations, and scenic walks. He also mentions the biodiversity of Foreness Point, managed under a Bumblebee Conservation Trust plan.
Activities and Amenities
Manners recommends cycling along the coast to Ramsgate and dining at The Pearly Cow, which he claims has a bar that rivals five-star London hotels. However, he warns that Botany Bay can become overcrowded on hot days, resembling a 'Where's Wally picture.'
Despite concerns about Londoners buying second homes, Manners emphasizes that stressed Londoners are welcomed. 'We love them back,' he says, adding that visitors often appreciate the coastline more than locals do.
Getting to Margate
Trains from London St Pancras International take about 1 hour 30 minutes, while a scenic route from London Victoria takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Margate Station is a short five-minute walk from the main beach and town centre.
