Margate has been a seaside resort for over 250 years. It was considered by Londoners to be an ideal place for a holiday because of sandy beaches. The cliffs are chalk and fossil bearing rock.
In the year 1890 Margate was the first resort to have donkey rides and in 1898 they were first again to have deckchairs.
During the Georgian and Victorian times both workers and the upper classes would travel for holidays in Margate’s fresh air getting them away from the smoke of London. A lot arrived by boat at the town’s pier.
Recent years have brought unemployment to the area as more and more holidaymakers travel abroad for their package holiday.
Due to the increased value of the site the Dreamland Amusement Park occupies it is now in danger of possible closure. A pressure group has been formed to hopefully keep the amusement park open and to be sure that The Scenic Railway is retained. This is the UK’s oldest wooden roller coaster that is a Grade II listed building.
The present day Margate still has its deckchairs and donkey rides plus a bouncy castle and boating pool all these together with a lovely golden beach its still the ideal UK holiday resort for families with young children.
One of the fascinating attractions in Margate is the Shell Grotto. Its decorated with some four million shells, covers an area of 2000sq ft. and was discovered in 1835. Unfortunately little is known about its history but is believed to be at least 2000 years old.
There are also caves to visit that are around 1000 years old and are carved out of the chalk cliffs. Their history includes them being used as a prison, smugglers hideouts and a secret worshipping place.
Margate has two theatres, the Theatre Royal in Addington Street, the second oldest theatre in the country and the Tom Thumb Theatre which is the 2nd smallest in the country.
Annually over a July weekend a Jazz Festival takes place in town.
There are plenty of public houses, restaurants and nightclubs to be found in Margate. The restaurants include Indian, Greek, French, Pizza and traditional.
Margate has a good selection of shops and these include Bon Marche, New Look, Burton, Big for Men and Adams and larger stores include Primark, Peacock and Woolworths.
Margate’s Museum has a collection of paintings and photographs of the town’s history especially emphasising the Victorian era when the town was considered to be at its best.
Property to let in the area costs from £280pcm for a studio flat, £325pcm for a l bed flat, £400pcm for a 2 bed flat and £575pcm for a 2 bed house.
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