Margate Caves
Margate, Coast
Image: The Margate CavesMargate Caves is a charity-run attraction that takes you underground into chalk caves whose history runs from Iron Age settlement to their later use as a mine. It is an inexpensive, short visit that pairs well with the Shell Grotto nearby.
Highlights
- Chalk caves beneath Margate
- History from Iron Age settlement to mining
- Run by a community education charity
- Rooms for children's parties
Good to know
- Open daily over October half term 2026
- A Christmas at the Caves event is planned for 2026; check the website for dates
Getting there
Margate Caves, 1 Northdown Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 1FG
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against margatecaves.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Image: Shell GrottoShell Grotto
Margate's Shell Grotto is a Grade I listed underground passage lined with around 4.6 million shells in intricate mosaics, and open to visitors since 1838. Its 70 feet of winding tunnels remain a mystery, with no agreed answer to who made them or why. It is a short, memorable visit for all ages.
Image: Crab MuseumCrab Museum
Crab Museum is a small, playful, not-for-profit museum in Margate devoted to crabs and other decapods. Its displays of specimens and found objects mix humour with a strong message about the sea, which makes it a fun stop for families and curious adults. Allow up to an hour, then carry on exploring Margate.
Image: Turner ContemporaryTurner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is a free contemporary art gallery on Margate seafront, in a David Chipperfield-designed building overlooking the main sands. See the latest exhibition, join an event or workshop, and take in the sea views from the café. It is an easy rainy-day choice and pairs well with a walk along the beach.