a free turner by the sea

Margate and the Turner

Free
Margate · Kent · St Pancras → Margate

A free world-class gallery, a wide sandy beach and a salty old town. The seaside that got its cool back.

Getting there. Turner Contemporary sits right on the harbour, a five minute walk from Margate station along the front.
Free to visit
ALWAYS
FREE
Margate · Kent · St Pancras → Margate
LONDON FREE GUIDE

The lowdown

Margate is the seaside town that got its cool back. The reason to come is Turner Contemporary, a serious modern gallery right on the harbour that is free to walk into, every time.

Around it is the rest of a proper day out: the wide sandy Main Sands, the winding Old Town full of vintage shops and free entry into Dreamland's park (the rides are paid, the wander is not). Turner reckoned Margate had the loveliest skies in Europe and on a good evening you will agree.

The catch

Getting there from London

Cheapest lineSt Pancras → Margate
Journey1h30 high speed
Train fareadvance singles from £15 each way (cheaper on the slower Victoria line)

Turner Contemporary and the beach are free. The high-speed Javelin is the fastest way down.

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