A love letter to Margate
Margate Pier / Turner Contemporary
Thinking about a summer stuck in England was really getting me down. Let’s be real, when we think about summer, you don’t think, “wow I can’t wait to spend two weeks on the coast of England.” However, Margate and the Kentish coast completely changed my mind. My friends and I decided that we would take a few days off work and explore what the south east coast has to offer.
The train from London was a breeze, an hour and a half. Luckily my boyfriend stayed home and looked after Zuri. Dog free and ready for fun, we arrived early, so had to wait around until we could check into our accommodation. We headed to the Turner Contemporary to check out their latest exhibitions. It felt so nice to go to a gallery after over a year of lockdown. Everything felt even more visual and touching than usual, the stand out for me was the Steve McQueen installation. My friend found quite possibly the campest accommodation we could ask for and I loved it. Margate Suites provided a modern, eclectic vibe with a seafront location that was perfect for our stay. The apartment was a maximalist’s dream (complete contrast to my wardrobe) providing an escape from the monotony of London life. If you are on the look out for a queer-friendly stay, Margate Suites is your go-to safe haven.
Dreamland, Margate
We wanted to reconnect with nature, so the first day we got the train to Faversham, a pretty town with rich maritime history. The walk from Faversham to Whitstable took around 4 hours, probably because I was constantly stopping to appreciate the countryside and take pictures. The fields were endless, the light was beautiful, the sea filled my lungs with fresh air. My friends and I were impressed by our abilities to walk so far. We arrived at Whitstable, and naturally I tried oysters for the first time, so smooth and fresh, a delicious treat.
Faversham - Whitstable
We loved Margate so much that after spending the day on the beach at Whitstable, we decided to head back to spend the evening there. After a massive seafood platter during the day, we wanted something light for dinner. Little Swift was right beside Margate Suites and the natural wine and cocktails caught my eye from the street. We stopped off for a cheeseboard and an amazing organic Italian white wine. They also had an amazing vegan cheese offering that changed my perception of vegan alternatives. As you can tell, food is what brings my friends and I together.
Margate Lido
Our last day felt like summer had arrived. We got up early to make the most of it and fuelled up on brunch from Forts Cafe. Amazing coffee, delicious pesto scrambled eggs, and a sticky toffee roll that blew my mind. I was determined to have my first sea dip of the season, so we headed to Botany Bay. The coastline was stunning, the crisp white, chalk rocks gave us the perfect backdrop for an hour of sunbathing (with factor 50, Saltee Face Cream to be precise).
Forts Cafe - Sticky Toffee Roll
Botany Bay, Kent
We rushed to Broadstairs to check out the iconic stairs and beach. It was packed, perhaps a little anxiety-inducing but nice to see nonetheless. The town was filled with antique stores which helped to fuel my homeware addiction. Just like that our little break was over.
Broadstairs Beach, Kent
I got on the train home feeling refreshed. Margate felt authentic like it was still a little undiscovered. It reminded me of a friend who has a real true sense of self. It was rough around the edges, the micropubs and natural cider at £3.50 for a pint stole my heart. I can’t wait to go back to try more of the restaurants Margate has to offer. Daniel W. Fletcher has just opened a pop-up store giving the seaside town the seal of approval from one of London’s coolest brands.
