Summer has well and truly arrived, despite the typically unpredictable British weather, and as the days grow brighter and warmer, it comes as little surprise that most Brits are casting their eyes towards the stunning UK coastline for day trips and holidays.
Those seeking a spot of staycation inspiration would do well to look at the UK's 'best seaside town', which has impressed travel experts with its breathtaking sandy beach, underrated theme park and eccentric attractions, including a hidden grotto straight out of a fairytale.
Margate in Kent is hardly a secret, yet it is frequently overlooked in favour of larger resorts such as Brighton and Blackpool, despite offering a wealth of sights and activities. The town itself is brimming with cosy pubs, craft breweries, cafés and quirky independent shops, as well as an impressive selection of bookshops.
The main beach, meanwhile, remains a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike, boasting a generous stretch of sand and calm, paddling-friendly waters, complemented by a promenade dotted with arcades and fish and chip shops for a quintessential British seaside experience, reports the Mirror.
For those less inclined to lounge on the beach, there are plenty of entertaining attractions to explore. A standout must be the celebrated Shell Grotto — a wonderfully peculiar underground passage resembling something from a fantasy novel, its walls adorned with more than 4.6 million shells.
For thrill-seekers, Dreamland Margate is an absolute must. Entry is free, and the attraction offers an impressive selection of retro and vintage-inspired rides for visitors of all ages.
Fan favourites include the Rock'n'Roller coaster, while the Scenic Railway holds the distinction of being the oldest rollercoaster in the UK. Fun houses, mazes and gentler carousels are also on offer for families with younger adventurers not quite ready to tackle the bigger rides.
Visitors pay per ride, with tokens available to purchase once inside the attraction. For further details, visit dreamland.co.uk.
With a wealth of attractions on offer, it comes as little surprise that Margate has previously been crowned one of the UK's finest seaside destinations by the Tripadvisor team.
Dubbed a 'Shoreditch-on-Sea' owing to the number of 'East London's cool kids' who have relocated to the Kent resort town — roughly two hours from London by train — they suggest that Margate "may not immediately seem like the kind of place" that would draw such a following.
They add: "It's retro Dreamland Margate amusement park and kitschy Shell Grotto, a subterranean passageway covered in more than 4.6 million seashells, are more suited for a family holiday. But this corner of Kent has actually been on the radar of artists for centuries.
"In fact, J. M. W. Turner once said that the skies in these parts are 'the loveliest in all of Europe', and he often included Margate locations in his landscapes.
"The Turner Contemporary, an art gallery designed by famed architect Sir David Chipperfield, opened its doors in 2011, and last year, a team of creatives transformed an 1820 guesthouse next door into the Fort Road Hotel."
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