Margate Main Sands
Margate, Coast
Image: Visit ThanetMargate Main Sands is a wide sandy bay in the centre of town, a short walk from Turner Contemporary, Dreamland and the Old Town. Build sandcastles, hire a deckchair and stay for the sunset over the bay. It is a classic seaside half day for families, with cafés and seafood stalls nearby.
Highlights
- Wide sandy beach with room to play even at high tide
- Seasonal lifeguards and a Seaside Award for 2026
- Grade II listed 1930s tidal boating pool
- Children's rides and arcades along the front
- Famous sunsets over the bay
Good to know
- Dogs are banned from 1 May to 30 September
- Swimming and diving in the boating pool are not allowed
- At low tide the sea can be more than 200m away
Getting there
Margate Main Sands, Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent, CT9 1XJParking: Parking is available close by.
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against visitthanet.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Image: Dreamland MargateDreamland Margate
Dreamland is Margate's seafront amusement park, with vintage-style rides, arcades and a roller disco. Entry is free and you pay for rides with wristbands or tokens, so it works for a quick visit or a full afternoon. Opening is seasonal, so check the calendar before you go.
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.