No. 42 by Guesthouse, Margate
Queenly Victorian
Plenty of front
Revitalised Victorian hotel No 42 by Guesthouse, Margate has been a front-row witness to the south-east coast’s cultural sea change, set close to both the Turner Contemporary and Dreamland; and now it’s time for its own tide to turn, as the Guesthouse group ushers in a new era of beachfront hospitality. The intricate iron balconies, dainty cornicing and stained-glass windows keep its former-life charms alive; but there’s no resting on nostalgia – DJs will man sunset sessions on the roof terrace, chefs fire up Kentish produce on a robata grill and a spa updates taking the waters for the 21st century.
Planes
Southend Airport, a 90-minute drive away, is the closest international hub; it’s billed as London for some budget airlines that fly there (and the train links are pretty reasonable; take note if you're driving, there are tolls at Dartford), but the nearest more-official London-serving airports are London City or Gatwick, both also a 90-minute drive.
Trains
Trains run to Margate from London Victoria and London Bridge, but the Southeastern line the stop is on runs down to Ramsgate, so you could coast along the English Riviera (ahem). The station is just a 10-minute walk away from the hotel.
Automobiles
You don’t need a car in Margate, but if you’re road-tripping along the coast, you can stash your wheels in the hotel car park for £20 a night. Please note, there are only 10 spaces available.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Marine Drive is Marg’s main promenading drag, so close to the golden-sand coast that a zealous fish could maybe make the leap from the bay to your window (this is very unlikely though). The star of many an old time-y postcard, and hazily visible in the back of several Turner paintings, it flicks around into the Harbour Arm passing by local superstar the Turner Contemporary on the way. The gallery helped to pump life back into the town and it’s been thoughtfully designed to show off sea vistas. Its exhibitions are always engaging and visually arresting. More folk art in style is the Shell Lady at the end of the harbour, a statue in the style of whimsical gift shops, allegedly made in tribute to Sophie Booth – Turner’s lover and landlady (Turner’s kind of a big deal here). But wait, there’s more shell-based fun to be had at the curious Shell Grotto, an actually remarkable subterranean feat of decoupage, which was supposedly discovered in the 19th century when the homeowner above was digging a duck pond – but like the walls and ceilings here, the legends around it may be heavily embellished. Take a refreshing dip in the tidal pool, or hire a boat for a jaunt along the Kentish Riviera, and embrace the kitsch at revived amusement park Dreamland. If you like its tongue-in-chic stylings, then you might find a retro neon sign, awning or even a spinning teacup at the likes of Junk Deluxe, Fez (on the High Street) or other vintage emporia (we also like Paraphernalia and Whistle Dixie (on King Street) for one-of-a-kind clothes and homewares). The OG outpost of home-grown skincare brand Haeckels is a must-visit, not just for seaweed-enriched creams, but to indulge in its spa treatments and get a gut-health consultation. At this point, you should pick up fish and chips from always-busy Peter’s Fish Factory (on the seafront), or a gelato from Lulu's (we like the kefir and passionfruit, Bronte pistachio or refreshing raspberry and mint sorbet) and sit in reflective poetic silence at the Nayland Rock Shelter, where TS Eliot came up with part three of The Waste Land. Or end your day on a cheerier – if weirder – note by catching some avant-garde music at the Tom Thumb Theatre or partaking in joyfully silly pop quizzes and pole-dancing sessions, or watching drag kings and queens do their thing at Camp bar, up in Cliftonville.
