Be Beside the Seaside

Come on in, the water’s lovely

The traditional seaside holiday began in Margate some 200 years ago and the town has been welcoming visitors ever since. Pioneer of the quintessentially English Seaside traditions – it has also been a centre of popular culture from the early 19th century onwards. It was home to JMW Turner, one of Britain's most popular artists who took inspiration from the area's amazing quality of light and another famous artist, Tracey Emin, grew up in the town and is a frequent visitor.

The seaside holiday and the seaside resort are two of England's greatest exports to the world. Since the early 18th century, when some of the wealthiest people first sought improved health by bathing in saltwater, the lure of the sea has been a fundamental part of the British way of life, and millions of people still head to the coast each year.

Margate has an important place in the story of seaside holidays. It vies with Scarborough, Whitby and Brighton for the title of England's first seaside resort, and it was the first to offer sea-water baths to visitors. Margate can also claim other firsts, including the first Georgian square built at a seaside resort (Cecil Square), the first substantial seaside development outside the footprint of an historic coastal town, the site of the world's first sea-bathing hospital, and, as a result of its location along the Thames from London, the first popular resort frequented by middle- and lower-middle-class holidaymakers. 

With growing concerns about the environmental effects of air travel and a continuing awareness of the threat of excessive exposure to the sun, the English seaside holiday is enjoying a revival.

Thanet is known for and proud of it's unspoilt coastline that features chalk reefs, cliffs and golden sandy beaches.  So whether you prefer to roll straight off the train and onto Margate's expansive Main Sands, or to seek out the one of many smaller bays along Thanet's 26 miles of stunning coast, you are guaranteed some of the best quality beaches the country has to offer.

Just a short distance away from Margate are the beautiful and unique towns of Broadstairs, Ramsgate as well as the surrounding villages of Acol, Manston, Minster, Cliffsend and Birchington.  Thanet is a great all season coastal destination with lots of heritage and culture to discover and explore.  Visit our tourism website to find out what you can see and do in Thanet.

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Web links

Thanet District Council

Visit Britain

Visit Kent

Visit Thanet