Living in Margate

Margate is well known for its strong sense of community and local pride. A diverse mix of newcomers and long-term residents contribute to its welcoming nature, with volunteer groups, art collectives, and community centres supporting local life. The Creative Quarter and Old Town buzz with cultural activity, hosting exhibitions, workshops, and open studios.

Regular events such as the Margate Carnival, food festivals, and the annual Christmas lights switch-on foster an inclusive atmosphere. The town has a busy calendar of craft markets, vintage fairs, and seasonal celebrations along Marine Drive and the promenade.

Green spaces like Dane Park, Hartsdown Park, and the leafy areas behind Cliftonville offer tranquillity as well as play areas and sports facilities. Margate’s coastline, tidal pools, and clifftop walks provide an outdoor lifestyle ideal for families, walkers, and anyone drawn to being close to the sea. Local community hubs and support networks ensure Margate maintains a friendly and neighbourly feel amid its ongoing transformation.

Safety and crime rates in Margate reflect the typical pattern for larger coastal towns, with certain areas experiencing more incidents than others. The town centre and seafront can be busier and see more petty crime, especially in peak holiday seasons when visitor numbers increase, but wider residential areas often feel safer and quieter.

Investments in regeneration and community policing have helped address some historic concerns, with neighbourhood community policing teams, local wardens, and dedicated anti-social behaviour response units active in the area. Initiatives such as the Margate Task Force bring multiple agencies together to support community safety, outreach, and support.

As with many towns, being aware of the area and taking usual precautions is advised, especially at busy events or peak tourist periods. The local authority and Kent Police remain actively involved in neighbourhood engagement schemes to foster a safer Margate for all residents.

Parking in Margate can vary between the seaside and residential districts. Central areas closer to the beach, Old Town, and attractions offer both pay-and-display and permit-controlled on-street parking. During the summer months and on weekends, demand for spaces increases, so early arrival is recommended for beach visitors.

Many residential streets provide permit zones, while outlying areas generally have more on-street availability. Car parks are located conveniently near Margate Main Sands, Dreamland, and the Turner Contemporary, operated by the local council. The A28 runs through the town centre, providing direct access to Canterbury and inland Kent, while the A299 (Thanet Way) connects Margate with the M2 for routes to London and the Medway towns.

Regionally, Margate is well connected by road:

• Canterbury – approx. 35 minutes via A28 (16 miles)
• Ramsgate – approx. 15 minutes via B2054/A254 (4.5 miles)
• London – approx. 1 hour 50 minutes via A299/M2 (75 miles)
• Dover – approx. 45 minutes via A256 (23 miles)

Overall, Margate’s road access ensures easy travel throughout Kent and beyond, although traffic congestion can occur during holiday periods and local festivals.

Margate has developed a distinctive food and drink scene that draws both locals and visitors. The Old Town is dotted with independent cafés, coffee shops, and bakeries, blending vintage style with contemporary menus. The beachfront and harbour arm host a variety of eateries, from traditional fish and chip shops to innovative restaurants with sea views.

Dive bars, gastropubs, and microbreweries such as The Harbour Arms and The Two Halves are favourites for evening drinks, with The Lifeboat and The London Tavern offering traditional pub experiences. Popular restaurants include Buoy and Oyster, Angela’s for seafood, and Bottega Caruso for Italian cuisine. The Margate Caves Café and café culture around Turner Contemporary cater to lovers of local produce and healthy options.

Nightlife ranges from low-key pubs to lively entertainment at Dreamland Margate, which hosts live music, DJs, and themed club nights. Independent music venues, converted theatres, and regular events, such as the Margate Soul Festival, add to the town’s after-dark attractions. There’s a balance here between relaxed seaside evenings and vibrant nights out, making Margate’s social life appealing to a wide range of tastes.

School Quality: Margate offers a range of primary and secondary schools, including Ofsted-rated options and nearby independent schools, suiting families seeking variety in education routes.

Parks and Green Space: Families benefit from abundant outdoor areas like Dane Park, Hartsdown Park, and stretches of the seafront, ideal for play and recreation. The expanse of sandy beaches also provides plenty of space for outdoor fun.

Childcare: The town supports families with several nurseries, preschools, and childminders, with many primary schools offering breakfast and after-school clubs.

Safety: While busy in peak tourist times, family areas tend to feel safe, benefiting from local policing and neighbourhood engagement. Regular community events enhance the family atmosphere.

Family Activities: Dreamland Margate is a central attraction for families, featuring amusement rides, seasonal events, and shows. The Shell Grotto, Turner Contemporary, and local museums offer learning and cultural experiences suited to all ages.

Pet owners will find Margate an accommodating place to live, thanks to numerous parks, coastal walking routes, and pet-friendly venues. The sandy beaches, especially outside of peak summer restrictions, are excellent for dog walking, with Westbrook Bay and sections of the clifftop path particularly popular for off-lead exercise.

Dane Park and Hartsdown Park offer wide, open green spaces for daily walks, while the town itself includes a number of pet shops and several reputable veterinary clinics. Many local pubs and cafés welcome dogs, particularly around the Old Town and the Harbour Arm. Housing options with outdoor space are available in various parts of Margate, and local letting agents report a generally positive attitude toward tenants with pets.

Pet services such as grooming, dog walking, and pet-sitting are available locally, helping residents integrate pets into their lifestyle with ease.

Margate offers strong transport connections to both regional destinations and the capital, making it popular with commuters and holidaymakers. The area is served by Margate railway station, which sits on the Southeastern High Speed service.

Direct trains link Margate to key locations:

• London St Pancras International – around 1 hour 30 minutes via High Speed service
• Canterbury – approximately 40 minutes
• Ramsgate – about 10 minutes

Regular local and intercity bus services connect Margate with Thanet towns including Broadstairs and Ramsgate, as well as Canterbury and Dover. National Express provides coach services to London and other cities.

The road network offers direct access via the A28 and A299 Thanet Way, which links quickly with the M2 towards London. For air travel, London Gatwick and Heathrow are accessible in under 2 hours by road, while Kent International Airport, near Ramsgate, is closer though not in regular passenger use. The port of Dover is under an hour away for ferries to France, making cross-Channel links convenient.

Education in Margate covers a broad spectrum, from well-established primary schools to specialist academies and nearby colleges. Parents have a selection of primary and secondary schools rated by Ofsted, as well as independent options and access to renowned further education facilities.

Primary Schools
The Charles Dickens School (Academy, and part of the Barton Court Academy Trust) serves much of the Margate area. Salmestone Primary School and Drapers Mills Primary Academy are both centrally located and popular, each nurturing pupils from early years through to transition to secondary. Holy Trinity and St John's Church of England Primary School, rated 'Good' by Ofsted in September 2022, is another sought-after choice for local families.

Secondary Schools
Hartsdown Academy stands as a prominent secondary option, offering a wide curriculum and extracurricular activities; most recently rated as 'Requires Improvement' by Ofsted in May 2022 with recognition of continued progress. The Charles Dickens School caters to pupils in the north Thanet area and is part of the highly regarded Barton Court Academy Trust, with a focus on academic and pastoral care. King Ethelbert School in neighbouring Birchington is another noted secondary facility serving many Margate students.

Independent & Specialist Schools
St Lawrence College in nearby Ramsgate is a well-known independent school, accepting both day and boarding pupils. For those with special educational needs, the Laleham Gap School (in Cliftonville) is highly regarded for providing tailored educational support.

Colleges and Further Education
East Kent College has a substantial campus in Margate, offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult learning for local students. This makes the area attractive to those seeking varied educational pathways beyond standard academic routes.

Universities
There are no universities based directly in Margate, but the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University are both easily accessible from the town, offering a wide choice of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for residents.