Margate Summer Series

Getting to Margate Winter Gardens by public transit is straightforward. Margate railway station is about a 15-minute walk or a short bus ride from the venue. Southeastern trains run from London and other parts of Kent to Margate. High-speed trains from London St Pancras reach Canterbury West and Margate in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, while regular services from London Victoria or Charing Cross connect via Canterbury. Once you arrive at Margate station, it's easy to hop in a taxi or catch a Stagecoach bus to the Winter Gardens, or simply enjoy a short stroll along the charming streets toward the coast.

Frequent bus services also connect Margate to nearby towns. Stagecoach routes 8 and 8X link Canterbury with Westwood Cross and Margate, making stops near the town centre and Winter Gardens. Route 9 connects Canterbury with Ramsgate, passing through Margate. (If in doubt, simply ask the driver for the nearest stop to Winter Gardens.) Within Margate itself, public buses and the seasonal Margate 'Hop' shuttle service circulate between tourist spots. Taxis and ride-share options are readily available at the train station and main bus stops.

By car, Margate is easily reached via the motorway network. From London or the west, take the M2 toward Canterbury, then switch to the A299 (Thanet Way) straight into Margate. Drivers from Dover or Folkestone should follow the A20 then join the A299. Summer weekends can mean busy traffic on these roads, so allow extra travel time. In Margate, you'll find on-street parking near the Winter Gardens and several public car parks around the town centre (for example, the Trinity Square or Central Parade car park). Always read parking signs to avoid any restrictions or charges.

For visitors flying in, London's main airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted) all connect to Margate via train. From any airport, take public transport (Underground, express trains or taxis) into central London, then connect with a Southeastern service to Thanet. For example, you could take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale, then the Tube to London St Pancras for a high-speed train to Margate. Alternatively, international travelers may take the Eurostar to Ashford International or Ebbsfleet, where local Southeastern trains run on to Thanet. Traveling by ferry to Dover or using the Channel Tunnel at Folkestone is another option; from there, it's roughly a 40-minute drive along the A20/A299 north to Margate.

Margate has plenty of places to stay, from cozy B&Bs to beachfront hotels. Shoreline favourites include The Sands Hotel by the sea and Dreamland Lodges within the historic Dreamland amusement park—both popular among summer visitors. Boutique guesthouses like The Albion House Inn in the Old Town also offer characterful, comfortable rooms. If Margate's options fill up, nearby Broadstairs and Ramsgate each have several hotels and inns just a short drive away. Be sure to book your room early; then you can easily enjoy the town's cafes, galleries and pier after a day at the festival.