A UK seaside town has been named prettier and cooler than Brighton, and it’s not too far from the trendy city. The UK is full of beautiful seaside towns, each with unique things to offer locals and visitors alike. Renowned travel publication Time Out named its top UK seaside towns, and some people might be surprised that Brighton is not at the top of the list, especially because Brighton Beach has been ranked as the best in the country.
While Brighton has a lot of appeal, Margate in Kent might be the best seaside town to head to this summer. Time Out lists it as the best seaside town to visit in the UK for a “beautiful coastal getaway”, describing it as a “cool creative hotspot” and pointing out the fact that it has been dubbed ‘Hackney on Sea’. Margate is located on the southeastern coast of England and is famous for its sandy beaches, pubs, and amusement parks with vintage rides and games. For a stunning seaside getaway in 2025, Margate might be the go-to spot for you.
Time Out’s UK Deputy Editor Chiara Wilkinson called Margate a place with “real charm”, describing the “golden sands and fading arcades” that complement a “buzzing art scene and thriving hospitality offering”. Some of the top places to eat and drink there, according to Chiara, are Good Egg for brunch and Sargasso for “chic seafood small plates”.
She also praises the vintage shops in the town, as well as “the excellent programming of the Turner Contemporary”. On TripAdvisor, the top thing to do in Margate is to visit The Shell Grotto, an underground passageway covered in mosaics created from seashells.
After that, tourists name Margate Caves as the second-best thing to do in the town, followed by The Thumb Theatre in third place. Other top-rated things to do in Margate, according to reviews, are Draper’s Windmill, Margate Cemetery, Margate Old Town Market, Botany Bay, and Dreamland Margate.
The beach and town in general have been reviewed positively by tourists who have visited the town before. One TripAdvisor reviewer commented: “Hadn’t been to Margate since I was a kid in the 1970s. Loved it then, especially Dreamland Ben Bros back then.
“It was very rundown, like everywhere was back then. What a beautiful surprise it was to visit again. Dreamland was great, not too expensive, and the staff were friendly and cheerful. I highly recommend Charlie’s for a decent price and lovely meal.”
Another said: “Good, clean seaside fun on a beautiful and safe beach. Well kept and lots of traditional seaside attractions on the promenade.”
A third wrote: “Good sandy beach, plenty of places to walk and spread out and enjoy the beach and the English summer.” However, some reviews mentioned dirty water and anti-social behaviour. Overall, it received 4 stars out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
If you decide to stay in Margate for a night or two, there are many hotels to choose from. Among the most popular are some Travelodge hotels, No42 by GuestHouse, Botany Bay Hotel and The Royal Oak Hotel.
If you want to do a day trip to Margate, its closest towns are Broadstairs and Ramsgate. From London, Margate is a two hour drive or a 86-minute train ride. The town can get busy on a sunny day, so make sure to arrive early to secure parking if you are driving there.
Other notable attractions in Margate include Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, the Crab Museum, Margate Museum, Palm Bay Beach, and Dane Park.