History of Margate Kent: Seaside Resort Through the Ages

From humble beginnings as a small fishing village to becoming one of Britain's first and most beloved seaside resorts, Margate's rich history spans nearly two millennia. This coastal town in the district of Thanet in East Kent has reinvented itself multiple times throughout the centuries, rising and falling with changing fortunes. Today, after experiencing post-war decline, Margate is enjoying a remarkable cultural renaissance that has transformed it into one of the most vibrant artistic communities on Britain's coast. This article explores the fascinating evolution of Margate from its ancient origins to its current status as a centre for contemporary art and culture.

Ancient Origins and Early Settlement

The area now known as Margate has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence suggesting human activity dating back to the Bronze Age. The name 'Margate' itself provides clues to the town's origins—it likely derives from the Old English 'Mere-geat' or 'Mærge-geat', meaning 'gap in the cliff' or 'sea gate', referring to the natural harbour formed by the cliffs.

During the Roman occupation of Britain (43-410 CE), the nearby Wantsum Channel, which then separated the Isle of Thanet from mainland Kent, was a vital maritime route. Although no major Roman settlement has been discovered in Margate itself, Roman artefacts found in the area suggest that the location was frequented, possibly as a minor landing place for vessels travelling between Londinium (London) and the continent.

Following the withdrawal of Roman forces, Anglo-Saxon settlers arrived in Kent. By the 8th century, there was a small fishing community established at what would become Margate. The settlement is mentioned in Anglo-Saxon charters as 'Meregate', confirming its existence as an established community before the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Medieval Margate: Growing Port and Market Town

By the Medieval period, Margate had developed into a small but prosperous port town. The earliest recorded church in Margate, St. John's, dates from the 12th century, indicating that the settlement had grown sufficiently to support its own parish church. However, the building was damaged by storms and eventually relocated inland in the 14th century.

Margate's importance as a trading port grew throughout the medieval period. The town was granted the right to hold a weekly market in 1279, a privilege that significantly enhanced its economic status. Goods from the continent were imported through Margate, while Kentish products, particularly wool, were exported to continental markets.

As a coastal settlement, medieval Margate faced constant threats from both natural elements and human adversaries. French raiders attacked the town several times during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), and in 1387, the town was ransacked and burnt by French forces. Despite these setbacks, the community persevered and rebuilt after each disaster.

Tudor and Stuart Margate (1485-1714)

During the Tudor period, Margate continued to develop as a small port town. The dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII affected the area, with St. John's hospital being seized by the crown. The town's maritime role remained important, with local ships participating in the defence against the Spanish Armada in 1588.

The silting of the Wantsum Channel, which had begun in the medieval period, accelerated during the 16th and 17th centuries. By the late Tudor period, the Isle of Thanet was no longer truly an island, and maritime trade patterns began to shift. However, Margate adapted by developing a stronger fishing fleet and establishing regular boat services to London.

During the English Civil War (1642-1651), Kent was predominantly Royalist, and Margate was no exception. Following the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, trade improved, and the town began to show the first signs of developing beyond its traditional maritime economy.

The Birth of Sea Bathing and Georgian Margate (1714-1837)

The most dramatic transformation in Margate's history began in the early 18th century with the emergence of a revolutionary new idea: sea bathing for health. In 1736, Dr. Richard Russell published his influential treatise on the medical benefits of seawater, "A Dissertation on the Use of Sea Water in the Diseases of the Glands," which popularised the notion that bathing in and drinking seawater could cure numerous ailments.

Margate, with its fine sandy beaches and proximity to London, was perfectly positioned to capitalise on this new trend. By the 1730s, visitors were already coming to Margate to "take the waters." The development of the 'hoy' boat service—reliable sailing vessels that transported passengers between London and Margate—made the town accessible to a growing number of visitors from the capital.

Margate's transformation from fishing port to fashionable resort was accelerated by several key innovations. In 1753, Benjamin Beale, a local Quaker, invented the modesty hood for bathing machines—horse-drawn carts that could be wheeled into the sea, allowing bathers to enter the water without being seen. This invention, known as 'Beale's Baths', became synonymous with Margate and was later adopted by seaside resorts throughout Britain.

The town expanded rapidly to accommodate visitors. Cecil Square, completed in 1769, was Margate's first purpose-built development specifically designed for visitors. New assembly rooms, libraries, and theatres followed, catering to the refined tastes of Georgian society. In 1787, the Royal Sea Bathing Hospital was established, further enhancing Margate's reputation as a health resort.

By the end of the Georgian period, Margate had been transformed from a small maritime town into Kent's premier seaside resort. Elegant terraces and crescents of Regency houses had been constructed to accommodate the seasonal influx of visitors, many of which still stand today as testament to this golden era of the town's development.

Victorian Margate: The People's Playground (1837-1901)

The Victorian era brought further dramatic changes to Margate. The arrival of the railway in 1846 revolutionised access to the town, allowing day-trippers from London to reach the seaside in less than two hours. This democratisation of travel transformed Margate from an exclusive resort for the wealthy into a destination accessible to the working and middle classes.

Thomas Cook organised some of the earliest excursion trains to Margate, bringing thousands of visitors to the town. New attractions were developed to entertain these day-trippers, including the Hall by the Sea (1867), which would later evolve into the famous Dreamland amusement park. The Marine Palace and Baths (later the Marine Pavilion) opened in 1898, offering entertainment and bathing facilities.

The seafront was developed with promenades, piers, and public gardens. Margate's first pier, the Jarvis Landing Stage, was built in 1824, and later replaced by the more substantial Margate Jetty in 1855. In 1899, the magnificent iron Margate Pier and Harbour Company's pier opened, creating an iconic landmark that would define Margate's seafront for generations.

This period also saw significant expansion of the town away from the seafront. New suburbs developed, hotels multiplied, and boarding houses proliferated to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Cliftonville, to the east of the old town, emerged as a more genteel alternative to the increasingly popular central Margate.

Edwardian Era and Interwar Years: The Peak of Popularity

The early 20th century marked the apogee of Margate's development as a traditional British seaside resort. The town continued to thrive, with visitor numbers reaching unprecedented levels. In 1919, Dreamland was officially established on the site of the former Hall by the Sea, featuring the Scenic Railway wooden roller coaster, which opened in 1920 and remains Britain's oldest operational roller coaster.

The interwar years saw Margate consolidate its position as one of Britain's premier seaside destinations. New entertainment venues opened, including the Winter Gardens in 1911 and the Lido open-air swimming pool in 1926. These years also saw the development of more organised beach entertainment, with Punch and Judy shows, donkey rides, and beach photographers becoming familiar sights on Margate's sands.

Margate's accommodation sector continued to expand, with large hotels and countless small boarding houses catering to every budget. The town developed a distinctive character as a place of unpretentious fun and relaxation—a reputation captured in the popular song "Oh! I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside," which was written about Margate in 1907 by John A. Glover-Kind.

Post-War Decline and Challenges (1945-1990)

The Second World War brought challenges to Margate. The town was designated an evacuation area due to its vulnerable coastal position, and many residents were relocated. Margate suffered bomb damage during the war, and the seafront was fortified against the threat of invasion. Tourism came to a virtual standstill, and many hotels were requisitioned for military use.

After the war, Margate initially experienced a revival as domestic tourism boomed in the late 1940s and 1950s. However, by the 1960s, the town faced growing competition from package holidays to Mediterranean destinations. The increasing affordability of flights to Spain, Greece, and other sunny locations with guaranteed good weather began to erode Margate's traditional visitor base.

The town struggled to adapt to changing holiday patterns. The closure of the Margate Pier in 1976 (it was later destroyed in a storm in 1978) symbolised the declining fortunes of the town. The economic challenges of the 1970s and 1980s hit Margate particularly hard, with unemployment rising as tourism-related businesses closed. Many Victorian and Edwardian hotels were converted into flats or bedsits, often providing housing for vulnerable individuals placed there by London boroughs.

By the late 1980s, Margate had become emblematic of the decline of the British seaside resort. Parts of the town suffered from neglect and disinvestment, and its reputation diminished. Dreamland struggled financially, closing temporarily in 2003, and many other traditional attractions had already disappeared.

Renaissance and Reinvention (2000-Present)

Margate's fortunes began to change in the early 21st century through a combination of cultural regeneration, community activism, and strategic investment. The most visible symbol of this renaissance has been the Turner Contemporary art gallery, which opened in 2011 on the seafront site where J.M.W. Turner, who frequently visited and painted in Margate, once stayed.

The £17.5 million gallery, designed by architect David Chipperfield, has been a catalyst for wider regeneration. Since opening, it has attracted over 3 million visitors and generated significant economic impact for the town. The gallery's presence has helped transform perceptions of Margate and has been a factor in attracting artists, creative businesses, and new residents to the area.

In parallel with the development of Turner Contemporary, Margate's Old Town has undergone a remarkable revitalisation. Once neglected, this historic district is now home to independent shops, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. The distinctive character of the area, with its narrow streets and historic buildings, has been preserved while accommodating new uses.

Another significant development has been the restoration and reopening of Dreamland. After years of closure and uncertainty, a community campaign secured the future of this historic amusement park. It reopened in 2015 following a £25 million restoration project, which included the refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Scenic Railway. Though Dreamland has faced financial challenges since reopening, it remains an important part of Margate's identity and attraction.

The improved transport links have contributed to Margate's revival. The introduction of high-speed rail services from London St. Pancras in 2009 reduced journey times to just 90 minutes, making the town more accessible for day visitors and commuters. This has helped Margate attract a new demographic of residents, including artists, digital workers, and families seeking an alternative to London's high housing costs.

Margate's regeneration has not been without challenges. Concerns have been raised about gentrification and rising property prices potentially displacing long-term residents. There remain areas of significant deprivation in the town, and the benefits of regeneration have not always been equally distributed. Balancing the needs of the existing community with the opportunities presented by new investment remains an ongoing challenge.

Margate Today: A Town of Contrasts

Contemporary Margate is a town of fascinating contrasts and rich diversity. It blends traditional seaside attractions with cutting-edge contemporary art. Victorian architecture stands alongside innovative new designs. Long-established communities coexist with recent arrivals drawn by the town's creative energy and relatively affordable property.

The town continues to attract significant numbers of visitors, though the nature of tourism has evolved. While traditional seaside holidays remain important, Margate now also draws cultural tourists, art enthusiasts, and food lovers. Events such as the Margate Jazz Festival, Margate Bookie literary festival, and Margate Soul Festival bring specialist audiences to the town.

The beach remains at the heart of Margate's appeal. The main sands—a broad stretch of golden sand backed by the distinctive curved harbour arm—continue to attract families during the summer months. Watersports, including surfing and stand-up paddleboarding, have grown in popularity, adding a contemporary dimension to Margate's traditional seaside activities.

Food and drink have become an important part of Margate's offering, with new restaurants, cafes, and bars opening regularly. The town now boasts everything from traditional fish and chip shops to award-winning restaurants, highlighting both local Kentish produce and international cuisines.

Conclusion: Looking to the Future

Margate's history demonstrates the remarkable ability of a town to reinvent itself in response to changing circumstances. From fishing village to fashionable Georgian resort, from Victorian mass-tourism destination to declining post-war town, and now to culturally vibrant creative centre—Margate has undergone multiple transformations throughout its long history.

The town's current renaissance, driven by culture, creativity, and heritage, offers a potential model for the regeneration of other coastal communities facing similar challenges. However, Margate's future success will depend on maintaining the delicate balance between development and preservation, between attracting new investment and protecting the distinctive character that makes the town special.

As we look ahead, Margate faces both opportunities and challenges. Climate change and rising sea levels pose threats to its coastal location. Economic uncertainties and changing leisure patterns will require continued adaptation. Yet, if history is any guide, Margate will continue to evolve while maintaining the essential qualities that have made it a beloved destination for centuries: its magnificent beach, its quality of light (which so inspired Turner), its rich heritage, and its distinctive sense of place.

From 'Meregate' to modern Margate, from fishing port to foremost seaside resort to cultural hotspot—the town's journey through history reflects the broader social, economic, and cultural changes that have shaped Britain. Whatever the future holds, Margate's remarkable story of resilience and reinvention seems certain to continue.