The Oval Bandstand and Lawns
Margate, Coast
Photo of Margate: No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0Photo of Margate: No Swan So Fine, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Oval Bandstand and Lawns is a historic open-air amphitheatre on the clifftop at Cliftonville, run by the not-for-profit GRASS Cliftonville CIC. Through the year, and especially in summer, it hosts live music, outdoor theatre and cinema, markets and community festivals for up to 499 people. Grab a ticket for a summer evening gig by the sea.
Highlights
- Step-free multi-level outdoor amphitheatre
- Live music, outdoor theatre and cinema
- Community festivals and markets
- Clifftop setting above Walpole Bay
Good to know
- About a 25-minute walk from Margate station
- Concession tickets may need proof of eligibility on entry
Getting there
The Oval Bandstand and Lawns, Eastern Esplanade, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent, CT9 2HLParking: Use nearby car parks such as Harold Road, Trinity Square or the Lido Car Park rather than residential streets.
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against theovalbandstand.co.uk, theovalbandstand.co.uk, theovalbandstand.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Image: Visit ThanetWalpole Bay
Walpole Bay in Cliftonville is a long sandy beach best known for its large tidal pool, a favourite with Margate's sea swimmers. Explore the rock pools at low tide, take a dip in the tidal pool and warm up afterwards in the community sauna by the water. It suits swimmers, rock poolers and anyone after a quieter stretch of Margate coast.
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: The Margate CavesMargate Caves
Margate 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.