Sometimes you don't need a big holiday, You just need to throw a bag in the car and head towards the coast and breathe in some proper sea air. That was exactly the mood for our recent trip to Margate. Just over an hour and a half from London by train or a one hour and 40 minute drive from London. Margate is one of those places that gives you that feeling of being away without needing loads of planning. There's the sea, art, independent shops, fish and chips, quirky pubs and plenty of old-school seaside charm. I filmed some of our trip for our Instagram Reel, but if you're planning your own Margate day trip from London, here's what we got up to and what I'd recommend adding these points of interest to your itinerary.
Things to Do in Margate
Visit Turner Contemporary 🎨
If you feel the need to escape the blistering sun and want to cool down and use the bathroom, then why not stop off here? Not only can you explore the current exhibitions, but you can also grab a coffee and relax. You can't really come to Margate without visiting Turner Contemporary. The gallery sits right on the seafront overlooking Margate Main Sands, and one of the best things is that entry is free, so even if you're not usually someone who spends their weekends in art galleries, it's worth having a look.
The exhibitions change throughout the year, so there's always something different to see. And the location is hard to beat. You can have a wander around the gallery and then step outside straight onto the seafront. I'd recommend checking what's on before you go, as exhibitions and events change throughout the year.
Get Lost in Margate Old Town 🛍️
After the gallery, give yourself some time to simply wander. Margate Old Town is full of independent shops, vintage finds, bookshops, cafés and quirky little places that are much more fun to discover when you don't have a strict itinerary. This was one of my favourite parts of Margate. It doesn't feel overly polished or predictable. You can turn a corner and find a vintage shop you've never heard of, stop for a coffee, grab a drink in one of the small bars and watch the hustle and bustle of the shoppers, before you know it you've been wandering around for an hour. So don't rush this part. Put the phone away for a little while and just explore.
Fish and Chips at Peter's Fish Factory 🐟
For the important part: food! After some online research on where to eat, we knew we had to try Peter's Fish Factory, right by the harbour. It's a popular spot, so don't be surprised if there's a queue. For me, this is exactly the kind of food I want on a seaside day out. Grab your fish and chips, find somewhere overlooking the water and enjoy them while watching the world go by. Is it the best fish and chips in the country? I'm definitely not claiming that!
But personally, I really enjoyed it, and the Google reviews on how good it was were on point, no wonder there was a queue! Just enough to crunch on fish batter, but also soft and tender, flaky cod inside. Sometimes you cannot beat good old-fashioned fish and chips by the sea.
Have a Drink at Fez Bar 🍺
Once you've eaten your fish and chips, it's time for a drink.
We headed to Fez Bar, and it's definitely not your standard pub. It's wonderfully eccentric bar filled with vintage signs, memorabilia and all sorts of random treasures around the place.
Have a Drink at Fez Bar 🍺
Once you've eaten your fish and chips, it's time for a drink.
We headed to Fez Bar, and it's definitely not your standard pub. It's wonderfully eccentric bar filled with vintage signs, memorabilia and all sorts of random treasures around the place.
It's the kind of pub where you find yourself looking around before you've even ordered your drink. Grab a drink, have a chat and take in the atmosphere. I love places like this because they're part of what makes the visit more interesting.
How to Get to Margate from London 🚗
Finish with a Walk Along Margate Main Sands 🌊
And finally: the beach. After all that food and drink, a walk along Margate Main Sands is exactly what you need. If you're lucky with the weather like we was, stay until sunset. There's something about being beside the sea at the end of the day that makes a short trip feel much more like a holiday. No schedule. No rushing around. Just the water, the sky and some fresh sea air before heading home.How to Get to Margate from London 🚗
Driving to Margate
We chose to drive, which worked really well for us because it gave us the flexibility to explore and made carrying our overnight bags much easier.
Our Parking Tip: Market Street We used Market Street Car Park, which was particularly handy because we wanted to explore the Old Town.
🚆 Getting to Margate by Train
Honestly, you don't need a car to enjoy Margate. Southeastern operates services between Margate and London, including London St Pancras International. Journey times can be around an hour and a half on faster
💷 Value: 8/10: A highly affordable day out out of the city. Trains are reasonably priced if booked in advance, and the beaches are completely free.
✨ Vibe: 9/10: Coastal, relaxing, and nostalgic. It is the perfect place to romanticise a British summer day.
📍 Location : 10/10: Unbeatable. To get from the heart of London to a stunning sandy beach with dramatic white cliffs in just 90 minutes is a total win.
❤️ Would I return?…… Absolutely.
We chose to drive, which worked really well for us because it gave us the flexibility to explore and made carrying our overnight bags much easier.
Our Parking Tip: Market Street We used Market Street Car Park, which was particularly handy because we wanted to explore the Old Town.
🚆 Getting to Margate by Train
Honestly, you don't need a car to enjoy Margate. Southeastern operates services between Margate and London, including London St Pancras International. Journey times can be around an hour and a half on faster
📊 THE SHAZ SCORE: Margate
To help you decide if this day trip is worth your weekend, here is my official, unfiltered breakdown:
🎡 Attractions:9/10: Margate Old Town and the white cliffs offer the perfect mix of artsy culture and raw natural beauty.💷 Value: 8/10: A highly affordable day out out of the city. Trains are reasonably priced if booked in advance, and the beaches are completely free.
✨ Vibe: 9/10: Coastal, relaxing, and nostalgic. It is the perfect place to romanticise a British summer day.
📍 Location : 10/10: Unbeatable. To get from the heart of London to a stunning sandy beach with dramatic white cliffs in just 90 minutes is a total win.
❤️ Would I return?…… Absolutely.
⭐ FINAL SHAZ SCORE: 9/10
