Down to Margate

Dreamland Cinema

 Margate Pier and Harbour Company 

Sea Ship WIndfarms  

Margate Harbour

Love Lane

Westbrook Bay, Margate Bay 

 Old Town

Henrys, Old Cameras

Camera: Fuji X100

A day trip to the original British seaside holiday destination via high speed javelin train from St Pancras, less than two hours home to beach, nearly an hour off the pre javelin time from Victoria. A visit to the Turner Contemporary, a wonderful space. Rodin's 'The Kiss' framed by a huge glass wall looking out to sea. Tracy Emin stuff was very Tracy Emin. A wonderful space and location, right next to Margate Old Town a few small streets of retro shops, cupcake cafes and all kinds of drinking establishment from cockney 'boozer by the sea' to inevitable hip bar , but again by the sea. Nice.

Then to Shell Grotto, The main high street is pretty depressing, poundshops and Primark, even the former Woolworths still lies empty, though there is Henrys with some decent second hand camera kit. So back to the front and perfect cod and chips from Peter's Fish Factory whilst watching the tide come in. A quick trip to buy some rock then back past the rather run down arcades and boarded up shops along the front to the station and the javelin back to giddy London. 

There is a second bright sign of the recovery of Margate on the way back to the station. Dreamland a Grade II* listed cinema from the mid thirties currently under restoration will front a new amusement park of classic vintage rides on the site of what was Ben Bom Brothers amusement park in the 80's that I remember well and many different menagerie/zoo/theme park incarnations in the generations previously.

Finally this classic for you from the mighty Chas n' Dave.