Culture Lovers’ Fix

Immerse yourself in one of the UK’s most burgeoning creative scenes, finding art in unexpected places across the Isle of Thanet. From timeless inspiration to genre-defying contemporary practice, the creative connections across Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate will thrill and surprise in equal measure, making for an incomparable day, 48 hours or mini break

Stand on the site where Turner found the inspiration for some of his most famous works (and fell in love with his landlady Mrs Booth!).

Feel the vibrancy of the London art scene beside the seaside - venture to the Carl Freedman gallery in the town centre’s Union Crescent (and spot Tracey Emin’s studio next door). Stumble across artist studio collectives such as Bon Volks to see contemporary art in the making. Let the many independent galleries and studios in Margate Old Town - Pie Factory Margate, King Street Studio and Eclectic Art Gallery, Broadstairs and Ramsgate tempt you to start your own art collection, meeting artists and makers as you browse.

Move out of the main town to Cliftonville’s Northdown Road, where you’ll discover more artists’ studios, gallery spaces and independent shops rich in character. Every day something new appears, and it’s here that you can scratch the surface of some of the town’s artistic community.

Turn your cultural adventure into a culinary delight. Whether it’s brunch with mates in an old bus, a seafood dinner overlooking spectacular golden sands, fish and chips, street food or a micropub tour – Thanet has a feast of places to sup and devour local award-winning food and drink including allergen-friendly, veggie and vegan options

Add some drama with a performance at the Tom Thumb, or where the Beatles have played and entertainment abounds - Margate Winter Gardens (currently closed). Fill your ears with soulful seaside sounds, party the night away and discover the Isle’s vibrant music scene at Ramsgate Music Hall, Where Else?, Dreamland, and The Libertines’ The Waste Land bar.

Banish that morning after feeling with a brisk walk or cycle on the Viking Coastal Trail to Broadstairs and Ramsgate, travelling back in time as you discover why the Isle has inspired artists, writers and architects for centuries. Follow Charles Dickens’ steps in Broadstairs, and the Pugin Town Trail for gloriously Gothic architecture at The Grange and St Augustine’s Church in Ramsgate, taking one of the many self-guided or guided walks to enhance your heritage discovery. 

Then return to Margate via the Turner and Dickens walk to capture a famous Turner sunset – settle on the seafront steps to watch hues dance across the sea and sky – it’s the picture-perfect moment to make your followers Insta-ntly envious.

All this and more, from just 75 minutes away from London by Southeastern’s High Speed train