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Margate
Things to do in Margate
Margate Main Sands

Margate Main Sands: Hours, Address, Margate Main Sands Reviews: 4/5

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Margate Main Sands

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Margate Main Sands
4
796
#6 of 64 things to do in Margate
Beaches
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

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The area
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
270 within 5 kms
Proper Coffee House Margate
194
0.3 km£ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
Olivo Margate
258
0.4 km££ - £££ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Angela's Seafood Restaurant
329
0.4 km££ - £££ • Seafood • British • Healthy
The Bus Cafe Margate
273
0.3 km£ • Cafe • British • Street Food
Buoy and Oyster
1,196
0.2 km££ - £££ • Seafood • British • Grill
Giorgios
444
0.1 km££ - £££ • Italian • Pizza • International
The Greedy Cow
509
0.4 km££ - £££ • American • Cafe • British
Bottega Caruso
165
0.5 km££ - £££ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Peter's Fish Factory
806
0.4 km£ • Quick Bites • Seafood • Fast food
Mullins Brasserie
829
0.4 km££ - £££ • Caribbean • Jamaican • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
155 within 10 kms
Octopus's Garden
22
45 mPlaygrounds
Kids Mayhem
22
0.2 kmPlaygrounds
Margate Museum
193
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Hotpod Yoga Margate
1
0.3 kmSports Camps & Clinics
Margate Old Town
683
0.4 kmNeighbourhoods
Theatre Royal
144
0.5 kmTheatres
The Old Kent Market
173
0.5 kmFarmers Markets
The Shell Grotto
1,273
0.8 kmCaverns & Caves • Mysterious Sites
Margate Tudor House
164
0.6 kmHistoric Sites
Crab Museum
22
0.5 kmScience Museums
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Popular mentions
4.0
795 reviews
Excellent
364
Very good
237
Average
97
Poor
49
Terrible
49
Ed.
Southport, UK42 contributions
It's a great beach - But the smell just kills the experience.
May 2022
Visited last weekend. I'm a fan of Margate... it's been through some tough times, but managed to re-invent itself to a degree and regenerate some areas of the old town - The Turner is worth a visit and the Harbour has a definite arts and culture vibe happening, so all good. The downside is the gut-wrenching sulphur stink around the Harbour and the Turner building. It is really bad. Message to the Council. If you're serious about town regeneration and improving tourism - You have to get rid of that putrid smell. I've visited your town three times in the past five years, and it's always the same horrendous methane stink which apparently people have been complaining about for years.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brian T
London, UK5,502 contributions
The beach itself is good, shame about the rest of the town.
Feb 2022
Margate was once an ancient port, and has been a seaside resort for at least 250 years and, until recent times, a traditional holiday destination for Londoners drawn to its sandy beaches. These days it still attracts a crowd of beach-goers in the summer; unfortunately cheap package deals to beach resorts in southern Europe have taken away a good part of those crowds.

The town is blessed with a wide sweep of golden sandy beach, Margate Main Sands. Its crescent-shape sweep is inviting, even when the tide is in. The sand is relatively fine, and seems to be kept reasonably clean. Whilst it’s not exactly Bondi or Copacabana or Waikiki or Miami South Beach, It almost has an ‘iconic British beach scene’ feel to it as you stand there at the top of the promenade after arriving at the local train station nearby: there's the substantial stretch of sand, a pretty harbour pier with lighthouse across the sand, and a town centre over to the right of your view.

However, beach goers invariably demand a wide range of services and attractions which go beyond a stretch of sand. That’s what brings money to a beach-side town such as this. And I think this is what lets Margate down, as this part of the beach scene seems to be in decline. There are some facilities and attractions, but is it enough to draw in the huge crowds? I don't think so. During the season there's a few food outlets (including a spot to get oysters and eels) right on the beach, and places to hire deck chairs and the like. There's toilet and showering facilities within easy reach. There’s the Dreamland Amusement Park with its vintage ’Scenic Railway’ and a collection of the usual fairground attractions such as Dodgems, Ferris wheel, Ghost train and Mirror maze. It was closed when we visited, which is understandable as it was off-season and school term-time. There’s a motley collection of amusement arcades along Marine Terrace, along with a plethora of cheap cafes and take-out joints. It all looked fairly dismal, uninviting and unattractive. Nearby is Margate’s Old Town, and the stretch of high street that constitutes Margate’s main commercial street. The Old Town is pretty, with a collection of quirky shops, cafes, bars and a few restaurants; hopefully they have a bit of a buzz in the summer and draw in the crowds. The High Street was ugly, soulless and lifeless. There’s the fabulous Turner Contemporary Museum at the end of the beachfront; however you have to ask yourself: Is the museum there to help draw in the crowds to the beach, or to attract crowds from the beach”?

When we visited recently on a sunny winter’s day, the beach was almost empty apart from a few few hardy walkers. As beaches go it’s scenic, clean and decent. As a beach destination, however, there a better options. You can’t help compare Margate to the likes of Brighton (even with its shingle beach) and nearby Broadstairs, which, even in winter, seemed to have all the life of the party!

Visit by all means, but don’t expect a fabulous beach party.
Written 25 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lia M
Province of Munster, Ireland188 contributions
Fantastic
Jan 2022
Beautiful beach, great views, lots to see and do. Close to shops and restaurants. Great day out or for a stroll on the beach
Written 14 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bentley Bear
Harpenden, UK243 contributions
Nice Golden Beach
May 2021
The actual beach itself is lovely - lots of room, very clean, good amenities etc.

But the area around it, especially the sea front itself, lets it down a bit and very much needs regenerating more. It's certainly a lot better than last time I went with places like Dreamland back open and clearly some work has been done, but it needs a lot more.
Written 2 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
tim r
Margate, UK5,825 contributions
Misty Morn stroll
Nov 2021
A cold autumn's misty morning stroll, and I was almost alone here, except the odd soul walking a dog.
Sands not manicured unlike in the summer, with lots of seaweed loitering around the high tide mark.
Still a good place to let your dog roam, and not too cold to enjoy.
Written 16 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anton_Smith
Nottingham, UK575 contributions
A very good bit of beach
Oct 2021 • Couples
Very nice curving sandy beach which is pleasant to walk on and gives good views of the sea, the harbour wall, the harbour itself and the seafront behind.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Cherriesfan99
Cheltenham, UK422 contributions
Even in autumn this is a lovely place to visit.
Oct 2021
On a lovely sunny but very windy autumn day we visited Margate's No 1 and original attraction, the beautifully clean Main Sands. Despite just being yards away from the main town centre, the sands were deserted apart from some over enthusiastic dogs happily focused on chasing balls.
All the facilities were closed including some of the bars and cafes, but in the brilliant sunshine the views out to sea were compensation. It is a glorious spot and, of course the reason why Margate was, and still is so popular with summer visitors.
Written 28 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brimmo
Bristol, UK176 contributions
Margate wake up
Oct 2021 • Couples
We visited the Kent coast for the first time, visiting several coastal towns, Margate being one, not reading up .
I am from the West Country , so Margate is over 200 miles, would I visit again, probably not.
The sandy beach would be a delight in the sunshine and I am sure there are plenty places to eat and drink, the Old Town tried but falls short in my thoughts, market selling clothing I would throw away.
The modern area of shopping needs to be demolished, the council has to ashamed of what they are presenting, of course there are other seaside towns in the same condition, it is a shame, the residents need to shout loudly at the political parties and the private owners of buildings, smarten them up, paint them, make them attractive, stop looking for the quick buck.
Written 18 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jubr75
London, UK147 contributions
Lovely beach
Oct 2021 • Family
Lovely clean sand beach. Clean toilets too. Boys enjoyed the kids corner on the beach that had little rides and bouncy castles. Buy the tokens as it's cheaper than paying cash each time. Generally a nice beach.

Promenade to the beach has seen better days. Dreamland in boarded up. Arcades worn but serves the purposes that they are there for. Few cafes, ice cream places. Buildings just look worn but area is very clean and tidy. Will bring my boys back to this beach.
Written 17 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
davethedrill
Hemel Hempstead, UK2,121 contributions
SENSATIONAL BEACH
Sep 2021 • Couples
This is a sensational beach
Exceeded any expectations I had
Lovely sand
Very clean
Tidal pools
Plenty of bars and restaurants nearby
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Margate Main Sands
Margate Main Sands is open:
  • Sun - Sat 00:00 - 23:59