Margate may not the prettiest of seaside towns, many areas are still really rundown, it needs a fortune spent on it, but its sunsets have been inspiring Artists for a very long time and it does have a lot going for it. The Turner Contemporary Gallery and the Dreamland project are two major enterprises that are contributing to the towns regeneration. On a sunny day the Harbour and old town area can be really vibrant – if you put on your Rose tinted glasses it’s a great place. Margate is ARTY. Margate is RETRO. If you’re into vintage and quirky things you won’t be disappointed.
The following map covers a selection of different types of shops available in the town, including the ones described below.
Where to Shop
The Light Keeper – is a quirky shop that makes you feel like you have just walked into your Dads shed. It’s full of also sorts of items, including industrial style lighting.
The Old Kent Market – is a covered market, it is on the seafront opposite the Turner Gallery in a converted Cinema. There are lots of stalls spread over two floors, with the ground floor dominated by a cafe bar in a London Bus and some excellent food stalls selling fruit, fish, cheese and bread. The cheese is sold from the second outlet of British Cheese specialist The Cheese Box and the bread is from The Bishop’s Bread Company. Their Bakery is on the premises, so you can watch the Bakers at work (Click here to see a video of The Bishops Bread Company in action). The smell of freshly baked goods is wonderful, it permeates through out the Market.
Haeckel’s – is situated directly opposite The Lido in Cliftonville. It’s a unique place that designs fragrances based on seaweed, herbs and grasses. Haeckels have also introduce the Worlds first Sea Bathing Machine Sauna to the area.
Vintage/Retro shops
Margate also has plenty of Retro shops to have a rummage in:-
- For Antiques, Vintage and Retro from 1770 to 1970 check out Paraphernalia in King Street.
- For retro/vintage clothes shops you have lots to choose from, with places like Madam Popoff, and Handsome Freaks in the old town and Rat Race in the Old Kent Market.
Galleries
Margate has a fair number of Galleries as well. The premier one being the famous Turner Contemporary. The Turner is a must-see when visiting Margate and the associated shop is a decent enough gallery shop, although a lot of the items for sale have only a tenuous link to the Art on display.
If visiting shops check the opening time as they can change especially in the Winter season.
Supermarkets
There are several Supermarkets in Margate – see Supermarket Map.
Additional Information
For information on places to Eat and Drink in Margate and information on places to Eat, Drink and Shop in nearby towns and villages, see the East Kent/Thanet Guide.
Return to East Kent/Thanet Guide
Once a down-at-heel seaside town, an influx of creatives flocking to Margate in recent years to escape London’s rising living costs – and breathe in a little sea air – have seen it transformed into Kent’s capital of cool. Dubbed “Shoreditch on sea”, it’s now home to modish restaurants, boutique shops and a thriving arts scene, all framed by the craggy whitewashed cliffs of the southeast coast.