Is Margate Good for Families?
Margate strikes a great balance between nostalgia, play and a very cool creative scene – making it a fun and manageable destination for families with toddlers or young children.
We booked Margate for a short break with our 4-year olds, as we wanted them to experience a traditional UK beach holiday. Having visited Margate many years before, pre-kids, we’ve always remembered what a nostalgic, wholesome destination it was; and it seemed a no brainer to take our little ones.
Our 3 nights in Margate gave us just what we hoped for and our 4-year olds absolutely loved their seaside getaway. In fact, we’d go as far as saying they enjoyed it more than holidays abroad – thanks to the home comforts of familiar food and an easy, stress-free journey down on the train.
So, are we persuading you to visit Margate with your kids? Here are more reasons to book a family holiday to the Kent coast, including a guide to the best things to do with kids in Margate.
Best Things to do with Kids in Margate
Margate is a pleasingly compact town, brimming full of family-friendly activities. Below are the best things to do in Margate for children (of all ages).
1. Visit Dreamland (suitable for children and teenagers)
Dreamland in Margate is a nostalgic, yet inherently modern, seaside amusement park that offers something for children of all ages. It’s therefore definitely one of the best things to do in Margate with children.
We’d visited before kids and absolutely loved our retro day in the sunshine – and were therefore as excited as the kids to return this summer.
Entry to Dreamland is free to enter (dreamy), but you do have to pay per ride.
To keep costs down, Dreamland therefore offers a number of wrist band options.
If you’re visiting with kids who are between 0.8m and 1.2m tall, you can purchase a Tiny Tots Wristband, which gives children unlimited turns on 8 specific rides. I chose this option as it worked out cheaper than paying individually for each ride – even if I did have to then purchase a few tokens separately for rides not included with the wristband.
Aside from the great rides (think the teacups, a hall of mirrors, mini rollercoaster etc), Dreamland also has a huge area filled with deck chairs and a giant screen, playing kids films in the summer months.
There’s also a brilliant arcade and roller disco area that’s undercover – ideal for rainy days.
Olive and Henry loved their morning at Dreamland and there were plenty of rides perfect for their age. Olive’s favourite was the Caterpillar Coaster, which she truly believed was an adrenaline filled adventure (there was one or two very mild dips). For Henry, the highlight came in the form of the arcades, crazy golf and a miniature train.
Dreamland really is a super cool place to visit – painted a palette of pastel colours, with great memorabilia and that brilliantly kitsch seaside vibe.
2. Shell Grotto, Margate
Opening times: Wednesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm.
If you’re looking to kill an hour, the Shell Grotto in Margate is a brilliant option for kids under the age of 10 or so.
The Shell Grotto in Margate is a subterranean set of tunnels, where millions of seashells have been carefully placed to create shimmering, mysterious mosaics. This small, but perfectly formed, underground passage was discovered in around 1835 by a father and son, who were likely excavating the ground to build a pond in a nearby cottage.
To this day, nobody knows who built it (or why).
The Grotto stretches approximately 70 feet (21 meters) through winding corridors that lead to a circular ‘rotunda’ and finish in a room known as the Altar Room. Every surface of the grotto – even the ceilings – are covered with intricate patterns of 4.5 to 4.6 million seashells. It’s a genuinely breathtaking sight and for young children, an absolutely magical place to explore.
The gift shop is equally as good and great for little gifts and trinkets (and, of course, sustainably sourced shells!)
3. Crab Museum
Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm (FREE admission)
From shells to crabs, this list of quirky things to do in Margate with kids continues.
The Crab Museum in Margate has become something of a niche icon in the area, touting itself as the only museum in Europe dedicated to decapods.
We visited here on our final day in Margate, mainly drawn in by its stellar souvenir shop with extremely quirky and brilliant crab-based gifts. However, we were surprised to discover a fascinating museum that’s really interactive for kids.
It’s also incredibly witty and enjoyable for adults too, and we all genuinely learned a lot about our little crab friends.
4. Margate Arcades
No trip to a traditional seaside town in the UK would be complete without a visit to the arcades. Yes, they might be a little tired looking, yes they drain you of money at lightning speed, but for children they are the best fun.
Olive and Henry adored the Margate arcades, marching around with their pot of jangling 2ps for the slot machines. The arcades are just opposite the beach, so it’s easy to give them a quick 30 minutes here before tempting them away by the lure of sand and sea.
5. Breakfast on a Double Decker Bus
Opening times: Thursday – Monday, 9am – 2.30pm
One of our favourite things to do with kids in Margate is to take them for a delicious breakfast on a double decker bus.
The Bus Café is located on The Sun Deck on the promenade of Margate, and offers an award-winning breakfast.
Dine on the top deck of the bus, enjoying delicious dishes such as crumpet sliders, a full cooked breakfast (without the grease) and steaming cups of coffee.
Olive and Henry loved their breakfast here, overlooking the sea and munching on crumpets with Nutella.
6. Turner Contemporary Margate
Although you may not think that an art museum is an obvious choice to take the kids, it’s actually a brilliant destination for kids.
Turner Contemporary in Margate is a fantastic spot for families, especially those with young children. With free entry, a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of hands-on, creative activities, it’s more than just an art gallery.
Kids can enjoy interactive play areas, child-friendly exhibitions and weekend family tours, while toddlers can take part in sensory workshops like ‘Tiny Turnips’ (cute).
The gallery also offers baby-changing facilities and a relaxed cafe, making it an easy and enriching cultural stop for all ages.
The family room on the first floor was a real hit with Olive, who enjoyed drawing chalk pictures over the walls and floor, as well as snuggling down in the reading corner for a bit of story time.
7. Beach Fun in Margate
Obviously, a must on your list of things to do in Margate with kids is to put in plenty of beach time. Further down in this post, I’ve listed the best family-friendly beaches in Margate, so make sure you take your time to explore them all.
8. Day Trip to Broadstairs
On our first ever trip to Margate, we spent a memorable afternoon in beautiful Broadstairs and we were keen to take the kids back during our visit. As we had a hire car, this was super easy and we were in Broadstairs in less than 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can get the train from Margate to Broadstairs, which takes less than 10 minutes too.
Broadstairs is a quintessential seaside town nestled between Margate and Ramsgate on the Isle of Thanet. Celebrated as the ‘jewel of Thanet’ for its picturesque charm, it has a lovely mix of seven sandy beaches, independent cafes, museums and festival-friendly streets.
Make sure you stop by Morelli’s Gelato for the most delicious ice cream and if you’re looking for a family friendly pub with a beautiful view, try Captain Digby pub. We had a great lunch here, while overlooking one of the sandy beaches below.
9. Visit Margate Caves
The Margate Caves are one of the town’s most fascinating hidden gems, offering a mix of history, mystery and family-friendly adventure.
Originally dug as chalk mines in the 18th century, the caves later became a quirky Victorian tourist attraction filled with colourful murals, legends of smugglers and towering chalk chambers.
The caves were beautifully restored and reopened in 2019 with a new visitor centre, cafe and exhibition space. Today, visitors can explore the atmospheric tunnels, learn about Margate’s underground history, and enjoy a truly unique experience just minutes from the seafront.
This was another easy activity to do with Olive and Henry, and was the perfect one hour filler at the end of the day.
10. Strokes Adventure Golf
Opening hours: Everyday, 10-5pm (no booking required)
Finally, another British seaside pastime that you can enjoy with kids in Margate is a bit of crazy golf. Strokes Adventure Golf is located overlooking the beautiful Westbrook Bay in Margate and offers a varied 18-hole mini golf course.
What are the Best Free Things to do with kids in Margate?
Travelling with kids can be expensive, so below are some suggestions of free activities to do with kids in Margate.
1. Margate Main Sands & Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
Spend a morning on Margate’s main beach and its tidal pool, for a free, wholesome activity kids will love. We took a picnic to the beach one afternoon and had a lovely time laying in the sun, while the kids built sandcastles and collected shells.
2. Turner Contemporary Art Gallery
The Turner Contemporary Art Gallery is free to visit – although a donation is suggested. This is a free (or at least cheap) place to bring kids, that often has specific things on for little people.
The museum also has a dedicated family room, with lots of interactive craft activities happening and a great book corner.
3. Viking Coastal Trail
If you’re travelling to Margate with older kids, then another free option to do in Margate is to explore the Viking Coastal Trail.
The Viking Coastal Trail is a circular, multi-use route of approximately 32 miles (51.4 km) that encircles the Isle of Thanet in Kent. The route passes through Margate and is predominately flat, making it ideal for families.
If you’re looking for something a bit more leisurely, there’s also an e-bike tour you can book that takes you to Broadstairs and back. This is a 2 hour tour, which finishes at the delicious ice cream parlour, Morelli’s.
4. Dreamland (public areas)
Although you have to pay for the rides at Dreamland, the public areas of the park are actually free. This means you could bring the kids to the large public area in the middle of the park, where the huge screen plays movies and there’s deck chairs to relax in.
Rainy Day Activities in Margate
No trip to a UK destination would be complete without compiling a rainy day list of indoor activities.
Fortunately, there are plenty of rainy day activities for families in Margate, if it isn’t delivering on the sunshine. We experienced a few gloomy days while there, but thankfully it didn’t dampen our spirits as there’s still plenty to do indoors.
1. Shell Grotto
The shell grotto, although small, is perfectly formed and (crucially) indoors. This will give you an hour or so of entertainment, dependent on how long you allow your children to go wild in the gift shop.
2. Crab Museum
Equally, the Crab Museum is a quirky, indoor activity to do with kids. Although small, it’s mighty in its interactive, child-friendly exhibits. You can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours here.
3. Arcades (Marine Terrace or Dreamland)
If you can mentally manage it as a worn out parent, the arcades make for the perfect rainy day activity in Margate. You can visit either the Marine Terrace arcades, that are opposite the beach, or the arcade that’s free to enter within Dreamland.
I’d say the Dreamland arcades are probably ‘nicer’ and you also have the option of food and drink – and even a roller disco, if you fancy putting on some wheels.
4. Turner Contemporary
During a rainy afternoon in Margate, we headed to the Turner Contemporary. As mentioned above, it’s free to enter (although we would suggest making a donation) and has a brilliant family room to explore. The cafe is also a great place to visit with kids on a rainy day, with delicious cake and warm drinks on offer.
5. Margate Caves
Hidden beneath a quiet suburban street lies one of Margate’s most intriguing attractions – the Margate Caves. First rediscovered in 1798 by a gardener sinking a well, these chalk caverns stretch into a network of winding passages decorated with mysterious wall paintings and murals.
Once a smugglers’ hideout and later a curious Victorian tourist draw, today the caves are restored for visitors with a modern visitor centre, cafe and an exhibition space that tells their story.
Perfect for families, history lovers and anyone looking to add a little adventure to their seaside trip, the Margate Caves are also an ideal rainy day activity.
6. Cosy Cafe Jumping in Margate
We were so surprised at how many brilliant cosy, delicious cafes there were in Margate. If the heavens open, head to any one of these to fill up on babycinos and big slices of cake.
Our favourite cosy cafes in Margate are: The Bus Cafe, Forts Cafe (up by the Lido), The Little Fish Cafe and The Margate Coffee Shed.
What are the Best Beaches in Margate?
Margate is home to some of the best family-friendly beaches in Kent, offering everything from classic seaside fun to peaceful, spacious spots ideal for little explorers.
Margate Main Sands is a favourite for families, with its Blue Flag status, gentle tides, lifeguards, arcades and nearby Dreamland amusement park. Although this is probably the most obvious beach to visit, we did feel it was a little ‘run down’ and not as nice as some other beaches available in and around the area.
Sewage had also recently been discharged into the sea, which meant a bit of a horrid smell and shells coated in something vaguely sinister looking.
For quieter adventures, Walpole Bay and Palm Bay offer tidal pools and rock-pooling fun, perfect for curious kids. We much preferred these beaches, mainly for the rock pooling, which provided a good afternoon activity for Olive and Henry.
We also really liked St. Mildred’s Bay in nearby Westgate-on-Sea, which is ideal for families wanting good facilities and fewer crowds. Our friend has a beach hut here, so we set up here for the afternoon, making the most of the two restaurants/cafes there and public toilets.
Is Margate Walkable?
Margate is a very walkable town, especially with children.
We opted for an Airbnb located towards the centre of town and we walked in and out during our stay. I would say that it’s a lot easier if your kid is still in a pram, as 4-year olds do like to moan after 5 minutes, but it was more than achievable for little legs.
Thankfully, you also have the distraction of the sea and beach as you walk into town, making it a scenic and fairly enjoyable way to get children to go where you want them.
Best Place to Stay in Margate
There are lots of options when it comes to family-friendly hotels or self-catering options in Margate. Below are just a few suggestions, taken from friends’ recommendations and our own experience.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Margate
1. Sherwood Hotel
Nestled at 8 Ethelbert Crescent, Cliftonville, Margate, the Sherwood Hotel enjoys a superb location just a 4-minute walk from the sea and close to landmarks like the Shell Grotto and Turner Contemporary gallery.
2. Magical Margate Townhouse (Self-Catering)
If you’re looking for a self-catering option (that’s not an Airbnb), try the fabulous Magical Margate Townhouse. This townhouse can house up to 16 adults and 3 babies, and is situated a 10-minute walk from Margate Old Town. The ideal party house if you’re looking for a big family get-together or celebration.
Our Family-Friendly Airbnb Suggestion in Margate
During our family-friendly trip to Margate, we stayed in this Margate Airbnb suggested by our friend and it was amazing.
With sea views and just a short distance from the town centre, this lovingly restored apartment was an absolute hidden gem. Think high ceilings, incredible sunsets and bags of room to run around.
Best Family-Friendly Restaurants and Cafes in Margate
1. Peter’s Fish Factory Margate
When we were asking friends for recommendations for family-friendly places to eat in Margate, the number one choice was Peter’s Fish Factory Margate.
Opened in 1985, this is something of an institution in Margate, with locals and tourists alike grabbing a paper bag of fish and chips, ready to watch the sunset over the beach.
2. The Bus Cafe
As mentioned above, the Bus Cafe in Margate is a brilliant, quirky place to bring kids for breakfast or brunch. Not only is the food delicious (they have great options for kids), the top floor views are just lovely.
3. Follow the Swirl
One of the biggest hits in Margate for our kids was Follow the Swirl ice cream parlour. Offering real fruit ice cream, fun kiddy branding and free stickers, we came back here multiple times for a hit of fruity goodness.
Is There Good Public Transport in Margate?
Getting around Margate without a car is actually really easy, even for families. The town and surrounding areas like Broadstairs and Ramsgate are served by excellent public transport that’s reliable, frequent. and affordable.
The Thanet Loop, a circular bus route running every 8–10 minutes, connects the main towns and is ideal for beach-hopping or day trips with kids. Other Stagecoach routes link to nearby villages and Canterbury, with day passes available for unlimited travel.
Trains from Margate and the newer Thanet Parkway station offer fast links to London and beyond, with family-friendly deals like ‘Kids for a Quid’ and PlusBus add-ons for combined train and bus journeys.
We took the train to Margate from Milton Keynes, connecting through Kings Cross, London. The train from London to Margate was so clean and new, and we were really happy to have chosen the train option over slogging round the M25 in a car.
For exploring on foot or by bike, the Viking Coastal Trail offers safe, scenic routes and several bike hire options are available. Taxis are also easy to find and reasonably priced if you need a lift.
