Margate Soul Festival

By train/air: Margate is easy to reach by train. Southeastern Railway runs regular services from London St Pancras, Charing Cross or Victoria straight to Margate station (roughly 1.5–2.5 hours). On summer weekends extra late-night trains sometimes run, meaning you can dance all day and still get home by rail. The nearest airports are London Gatwick and Heathrow (about 80–100 miles away). From either airport, take a train or coach into London then connect to Margate via the high-speed Southeastern line. International visitors on the Eurostar can travel to Ashford International and change to a local train to Margate.

By car: Driving to Margate is straightforward. From London, take the M2/A2 and follow signs for Margate or the A299. Traffic can be heavy on busy summer days, so leave plenty of time. Margate doesn't have dedicated festival parking, but there are public car parks throughout town. You’ll find pay-and-display parking at Margate Station, Turner Contemporary, Market Street, Trinity Square and elsewhere. The Dreamland amusement park car park offers all-day parking near the seafront. These lots generally charge by the hour via cash or a parking app.

Local transport: Stagecoach’s Loop bus service runs frequently between Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate until late evening, useful if you stay in a nearby town. Once in Margate, most festival venues are within walking distance. The main beachside stage (by the Lido) is only about a 10–15 minute walk from the train station. You could even take the scenic one-hour walk along the Viking Coastal Path from Broadstairs to Margate. In past years the festival has provided a free shuttle van between Margate station and the beachfront venues, making it easy to zip back and forth.

Accommodation: Margate offers a wide range of places to stay. You’ll find boutique hotels, beachfront flats and self-catering cottages, as well as charming guesthouses and B&Bs in the Old Town. Nearby Broadstairs and Ramsgate also have plenty of lodging options, plus good train and bus links back to Margate. Wherever you choose, book early — Margate fills up quickly during popular summer weekends, so advance reservations are recommended.