What could possibly connect a global pop superstar worth millions with a faded Victorian seaside resort on the blustery Kent coast in deep winter? According to columnist Ros Wynne-Jones, when it comes to Madonna and Margate, the connection is profound and multifaceted. The Queen of Pop's recent visit and subsequent social media praise have cast a fresh spotlight on this distinctive English town.
The Unlikely Soulmates: Madonna and Margate
Madonna's fascination with Margate is no passing whim. The town, with its unique blend of edgy, queer, and tawdry glamour, seems to share a spiritual DNA with the iconic performer. Since its Victorian heyday, Margate has attracted those with a taste for the unconventional, its grand promenades and eccentric 'bathing machines' once luring Londoners southeast for leisure.
Described as Kent's answer to Venice Beach, albeit without the consistent sunshine, Margate boasts an art deco lido, legendary fish and chip shops, and the enigmatic Shell Grotto. It's little wonder Madonna proclaimed the town her "idea of heaven." For a pop legend built on reinvention and bold style, Margate serves as a perfect spiritual holiday home, an immaculate collection of vintage boutiques, traditional cafes, and historic pubs with smuggler tales.
An Artistic Legacy and Cultural Resurgence
Margate's appeal is deeply rooted in its artistic heritage. The town has been a dreamscape for creatives for centuries. The famed seascape painter J.M.W. Turner declared its skies "the loveliest in all Europe," while poet T.S. Eliot was sent there to recuperate, penning 'On Margate Sands'. This legacy continues today, revitalised by the sheer energy of artists like Dame Tracey Emin, a close friend of Madonna.
Emin's influence has been pivotal, leading to the establishment of the dazzling Turner Contemporary gallery and embedding a vibrant contemporary art scene. Madonna herself enthusiastically noted on Instagram that Tracey "is a Pearl. A precious necklace that has been draped around a seaside Town in England called Margate." The pop icon's surprise visit to a grassroots Off Season art show has undoubtedly electrified the local creative community.
Experiencing Margate's Unique Charms
A visit to Margate offers a sensory journey. One can brave the wintry Sea Scrub Sauna, leaping from the heat into an old boating lake, or seek out sublime dining at spots like Sargasso on the Harbour Arm. The town is stuffed with excellent, affordable eateries, from the Italian delights of Bottega Caruso to Peter's fish factory for a classic chip supper or The Good Egg for a standout fry-up.
Beyond the art and food, Margate's character is shaped by its history. The Dreamland vintage amusement park, partly inspired by New York's Coney Island, speaks to a playful past, even as its historic rollercoaster has recently closed. The town's parties were legendary, notably the mods and rockers clashes on the beach in 1964. Although it faced decline with the rise of cheap foreign holidays, a resilient spirit has seen it rebuild.
For locals and visitors alike, the off-season holds a special magic—the wild skies, the bracing beach walks, and the camp, melancholic air captured in songs like Morrissey's 'Everyday Is Like Sunday'. It's a place where Hollywood glamour meets gritty British reality, where a pop pioneer's endorsement might just herald a new chapter for this glittering seaside gem nestled in the chalky cliffs of 'Planet Thanet'. As Madonna herself wrote, "Whenever I go there, I feel like I've entered a dream." It seems she is not alone in that sentiment.
