On our way to a wedding in the UK, Pelle and I spent a day and a night in Margate. I highly recommend it. It's a sea town in Kent getting on the hype for all Londoners wishing to escape the buzz of the city. And have some fresh sea air over the day. Or two.Plus, if you have kids, there is a great theme park called Dreamland. Brought to life again a couple of years ago in a great 50s style. You have a Helter Skelter and a roller disco room. What's not too love? We didn't do it because we were sans children but it's surely a place they would love!If it's a nice day, this town has great beaches. And if not, it has great shops including antiques and vintage stores you will love. Oh, and also lovely restaurants:
I got quite a lot of good recommendations when I asked the lovely Instagram crowd. Lucy shared this great guide from suitcase mag where you can find nice restaurants and things to do. Also, I got the Olive magazine guide from Jessica from the brilliant Infant art club which was also helpful. And finally, I got tips from Sally of The Cafe Cat who knows her food I tell you (check out her blog!)Here is what I liked and would recommend. First and foremost, walking around the old town, enjoying the seaside and look at the colourful shop windows, the cute streets and the vintage finds:One of the main proof that Margate is gentrifying (as one of the guide put it) is that you can find a Swedish coffee place there for a proper Fika (like this one) :For just regular shopping (home things, cute stationary etc.) I particularly liked the Môr:And The Shop was also nice. I bought a very nice vintage glass salt and pepper bowls and tiny old spoons. They also have nice linen wears and morrocan style slippers:Another great find especially for plant holders is Artisans and adventurers, they also have a shop in London:Other famous interior shop is ETC. but it wasn't open when we were there. So aside from their online store and their cute window, I can't tell you much more. Overall, it's a really nice area to walk around:Many, many vintage furnitures and objects shops in Margate. And the prices were really good! I wish I had a big van with me to bring everything back. Sadly, I only have the salt and pepper holder. My favourite of all was Ramsay and Williams: Another great thing to do is to go to the Turner contemporary gallery and walk along the seaside. The gallery is for free, the exhibitions are great and the building is beautiful. Where the old Lido is, you have a couple of nice shops (Danish vintage furnitures and Haeckels which turns sea weed into luxury cosmetics) and restaurants such as Roost: Plenty of blue doors suiting my new found love for it (and my instagram tag #inthemoodforbluedoors, check it out!).You can eat there with a nice seaside view but in that matter, I recommend to try the Great British Pizza closer to the Turner gallery. It has one of the nicest pizzas I have eaten lately. Thin but still crusty enough. Their tomato sauce is slightly too sweet for my taste but they are still delicious. And their coriander hummus is to die for: But the restaurant that I would really recommend you to go to when in Margate is Hantverk and Found. Especially since they will expand (currently it's a bit cramped):Delicious sea food!We stayed in the Sands hotel which was ok and had a very nice view but next time I go, I want to try The reading room! I hope I convinced you to try it. Let me know if you need any more info!