Things to Do in Thanet: Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate (A Local-ish Guide)

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Even though I’ve lived in many places in the UK, north-east Kent is the only area I truly miss. Beautiful beaches, white chalk cliffs… and that particular coastal feeling you can’t quite replicate elsewhere.

If you’re a local, planning a trip, or looking for staycation inspiration, this guide will help you find the best things to do in Thanet (including Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate) — without trying to cram it all into one day.

Thanet at a glance

Thanet is located on the north-eastern tip of Kent and is made up of three seaside towns: Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.

Best time to visit Thanet

If you want to avoid the biggest crowds but still catch decent weather, consider visiting in late spring or early autumn.

One of the biggest myths is that there’s nothing to do in the colder months. In fact, Thanet still has plenty going on in autumn and winter — think Dreamland’s seasonal events, Bonfire Night fireworks, and Christmas markets. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck.

How to get to Thanet

The easiest way to travel from London to Thanet is by taking a high-speed Southeastern train from St Pancras to Margate, Broadstairs, or Ramsgate. The trip takes about an hour and thirty minutes.

How to get around Thanet

One of the most convenient ways to get around Thanet is by bus — especially The Loop, a circular route that runs through Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. There are plenty of hidden gems along the way, and it also stops at Westwood Cross.

Things to do in Thanet

Coastal Explorer Packs

If you want to experience Thanet a bit differently, check out the Coastal Explorer Packs. They’re great for curious kids (and adults), especially if you like things like learning how to use a compass or make a sundial. The packs also include local stories and prompts.

All you need to do is rent a bag for £5 with proof of ID from:

• Margate — Visitor Information Centre, Droit House, Stone Pier, CT9 1JD
• Broadstairs — Lillyputt Mini Golf, Victoria Parade, CT10 1QL
• Ramsgate — Visitor Information Centre, Customs House, Harbour Parade, CT11 8LP

Bathe on a beach

Because we get so few truly warm days in the UK, beaches get busy fast. Main sands can be packed in summer — but there are also quieter coves if you know where to look.

If you want a family-friendly or “photogenic but peaceful” beach day, try Minnis Bay, Palm Bay, Botany Bay, Kingsgate Bay and Joss Bay. They’re my favourites in Thanet: sandy, calmer, and slightly away from the busiest town centres. Most have a café on site (or nearby), which makes them perfect for a slower family day out.

Go on a shopping spree

Each town has its own local, independent shops — but they also share one big shopping centre: Westwood Cross. It’s in between the three towns and has popular chain stores, restaurants, and a cinema.

Follow the Vikings: cycle (or walk) the Viking Coastal Trail

The Viking Coastal Trail is a 32-mile (51.4 km) circular route around the Isle of Thanet. You can easily split it into shorter sections.

With dramatic scenery, historic sites and lots to stop for, it’s a great option for most people — including families.

If you choose a coastal stretch, check tide times beforehand. Some sections can be cut off or underwater at high tide.

If you want to know what to expect, you might like my walk from Margate to Broadstairs or the one from Ramsgate to Margate.

Things to do in Margate

Lunch at Old Kent Market

Fancy trying something new? If fish and chips feel a bit predictable, Old Kent Market is a brilliant alternative.

It’s a small hidden gem with a great atmosphere and stalls serving food from different parts of the world — tasty, interesting, and not overpriced. It’s also a few steps from Turner Contemporary, which makes it an easy lunch stop.

Turner Contemporary

Turner Contemporary is an award-winning art gallery and one of the best-known in the UK. It’s named after J. M. W. Turner, who spent time in Margate and made drawings of the town and surrounding coastline. The gallery stands on the site of a boarding house where he once stayed.

Fun fact: New £20 note features Turner Contemporary alongside Margate Lighthouse. It’s the first contemporary building placed on any note.

Opposite the gallery, you’ll see an iron statue that’s part of Another Time by Antony Gormley — one of a series of sculptures placed around the world. You can spot it from the first-floor balcony and from the shoreline at low tide.

Fun fact: There’s a place in England where you can see many Gormley statues in one spot — “Another Place” in Crosby near Liverpool.

WonderWorks Margate (Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix + hands-on fun)

If you want an indoor activity that’s genuinely fun for both kids and adults, add WonderWorks Margate to your list.

It’s an immersive experience inspired by some of the UK’s best-known hobby brands — Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix, Corgi and Pocher — with displays, nostalgia, and plenty to look at even if you’re not a “model person”. There’s also a café on site, which makes it an easy half-day plan.

Shell Grotto

Shell Grotto is one of Margate’s strangest, most memorable places: an underground passageway with walls and ceilings covered in mosaics made from 4.6 million seashells.

It was discovered around 1835 and opened to the public a few years later. Nobody knows who created it or why — even the discovery story has mystery around it. There’s also a gift shop if you want a souvenir.

Underground Margate: Margate Caves

If you liked Shell Grotto, you’ll probably enjoy Margate Caves too. They began as a chalk mine in the early 1700s, then were used for different purposes over time, including a wine store and air-raid shelters during WWII.

They’ve opened and closed multiple times over the years, but reopened again in 2019 and have welcomed visitors since.

Have fun at Dreamland

You can’t really say you’ve been to Margate without visiting Dreamland, one of the oldest amusement parks in the UK.

Locals love it for events — concerts, seasonal celebrations, and Screamland around Halloween. In recent years it’s become one of Margate’s biggest attractions.

Dreamland first opened in 1880. After closing in 2005 (and surviving multiple setbacks), it was redeveloped and reopened in 2015.

Wander around Margate

Margate is great for wandering: you’ll find interesting corners, old landmarks, and a mix of sea air and town energy.

Near the Main Sands you can see the Jubilee Clock Tower (1887) built for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. It has a Time Ball that drops at 1pm daily and is one of only a few working time balls in the world.

From there, you’re minutes from Margate Old Town, full of independent shops, vintage finds, pubs and cafés.

A little further, you can visit the Tudor House, the oldest building in Margate (dated to 1525). It was nearly demolished in the 1930s until original Tudor beams were discovered, which led to restoration and public access.

If you’d rather stay by the sea, head towards Walpole Bay Tidal Pool — the largest saltwater pool in the UK — a brilliant spot for outdoor swimming and paddleboarding.

Things to do in Broadstairs

Surf at Joss Bay

Have you ever tried surfing or paddleboarding? If you’re staying longer (and can swim confidently), it’s a fun, active afternoon. You can book lessons and hire equipment at the surf school on the beach.

Joss Bay is a popular surf spot in Thanet, alongside Botany Bay and Viking Bay.

Follow Dickens

Charles Dickens visited Broadstairs often and wrote parts of David Copperfield there, which is why you’ll see his name all over town.

You can visit the Dickens House Museum (where he stayed), and see places connected to his Broadstairs life and writing.

And there’s also the annual Broadstairs Dickens Festival, held every June since 1937.

Have fun at Revolution Skatepark and Climbing Centre

If you want an indoor activity, Revolution is a strong option: skatepark + climbing in one place.

If you’ve never tried anything like it, you can book a lesson first. It’s suitable for different wheels (skateboards, BMX, rollerblades, scooters), and the climbing area works for various indoor climbing styles. Kids are welcome too.

Spend a day outside

Broadstairs has lots of smaller “quiet wins” if you know what to look for. Start at Victoria Gardens overlooking Viking Bay and Louisa Bay, then explore St Peter’s (historically a village, now part of Broadstairs) with its Norman church.

Add in narrow lanes, cosy cafés, and those white cliffs and sea views — Broadstairs rarely disappoints.

Things to do in Ramsgate

Go underground along Ramsgate Tunnels

The story of Ramsgate Tunnels goes back to 1863, when an underground railway was opened. In 1939, as the threat of WWII grew, the tunnels were expanded into an underground shelter system — often described as the most extensive in the country.

You can book a guided tour to see where the underground town operated. The route is up to 1.25 km and lasts around 1 hour 30 minutes. Wear something warm — it’s about 11°C down there.

Discover the Italianate Glasshouse

This rare glasshouse is a hidden gem on Ramsgate Eastcliff, in King George VI Memorial Park.

Despite the name, it doesn’t have a direct connection to Italy — it refers to the centrepiece fountain imported from Italy. Inside, you might spot rare agave plants (yes, the tequila kind) which can take decades to bloom.

The park is also home to a variety of birds — including green ring-necked parakeets.

Don’t miss Ramsgate Royal Harbour

You can’t visit Ramsgate without walking along the harbour. It’s the only Royal Harbour in the country, granted by George IV in 1821 after he received such friendly welcomes on visits.

Ramsgate Main Sands sits right beside the harbour. You’ll also find hotels, shops and pubs across the road.

If you can, go around dusk when the lights start coming on — it’s genuinely beautiful.

Visit Ramsgate Maritime Museum

While you’re near the harbour, check out the Maritime Museum in the Clock House on the quayside. It focuses strongly on Ramsgate’s local history.

This building is also where Ramsgate Mean Time was calculated — Ramsgate once ran 5 minutes 41 seconds ahead of Greenwich before adopting GMT in 1848.

Take a trip down memory lane at The Micro Museum

The Micro Museum is Kent’s only museum dedicated to the history of computing and video games. It’s built around a private collection gathered over 40+ years, with hundreds of devices on display — from the 1940s through to the early 21st century.

Best bit: your ticket includes the chance to play on classic consoles and computers, not just look at them.

This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete (for the tinkerer in you)

Just next door is another brilliant place, but it’s a totally different vibe: This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete — a home for experimental and “obsolete” scientific and musical technology.

It was launched in 2020 by Sam Battle (Look Mum No Computer) — musician, inventor, and the driving force behind the museum’s mission to keep “obsolete” tech alive and evolving.

Fun fact: Sam will be representing the UK at Eurovision this year.

Admire Pugin architecture

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin is one of Ramsgate’s most famous residents, best known for his work on the interiors and fittings of the Houses of Parliament.

Ramsgate has several landmarks designed by (or inspired by) Pugin. The best example is St Augustine’s Church, a model of his architectural principles. Nearby is The Grange, the home he designed for his family. It was rescued from demolition in 1997 and is now open to visitors.

Visit the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial Museum

Manston played a crucial role in both WWI and WWII because of its proximity to the Channel and being only minutes from the enemy coastline by air.

This museum is an ongoing project dedicated to the history of Manston Airfield and has two iconic planes on display: the Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane, alongside other objects connected to aviation and local history.

The museum is free to enter. You can also book a flight in the Spitfire Simulator for £30. If you try it, tell me what it’s like — I’m curious.

Over to you

Have you ever been to this part of Kent? Do you think I missed any key attractions in Thanet? Comment down below!