Wish You Were Here

The birthplace of the British seaside is undergoing a renaissance and the town is about to boom.

A new high speed rail link has substantially reduced the journey times to London. Kent International Airport is only ten minutes away and the existing road links to the motorway network are excellent. But there’s much more to Margate than good transport links.

In 2011, Turner Contemporary will open a world class art gallery.  Designed by the internationally renowned David Chipperfield Architects Ltd, the gallery will celebrate the town's association with JMW Turner, one of Britain's best loved artists, and present the best of contemporary art practice.  Close to the new gallery, Margate's Old Town is flourishing with independent galleries, artist studios, cafes, bars and specialist shops selling everything from vintage clothing to furniture classics.

Along the seafront the Dreamland pleasure grounds, perhaps Margate's most famous asset, hold a place in the hearts of many so it will be a joyous occasion when they open again in 2012 as the world's first Heritage Amusement Park.  At its centre will be the Scenic Railway, the oldest roller-coaster in the UK and the fourth oldest in the world.  The Scenic Railway will be joined by other superb rides that have been rescued from around the country to create a thrilling theme park from the past.  Further developments on the site include a new entertainment venue and a centre for the celebration of British Popular culture.

Since 2001, house prices in Margate have risen by over 115%, out performing the rest of Kent and the south east.  The town is also home to some of the most stylish housing stock in the region, and major public sector investment is helping to kick start some of the region's best development opportunities.

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