Margate Old Town is an historical area that started out life as a fishing village to become one of England’s first seaside resorts, retaining a rich maritime and cultural heritage.

Margate has been inhabited since prehistoric times with evidence of a population since the Bronze Age. It’s name probably derives from the Anglo Saxon Mer-geat meaning “gap in the cliff” or “sea gate”. During Roman times the nearby Wantsum Channel was an important maritime route and Roman artefacts suggest that Margate was used as a minor landing place. By the 8th Century AD the Anglo-Saxons had established a fishing community which was recorded in charters as Meregate.

Dan and I started our tour at Cecil Square, which was developed from 1770 onwards as the grand new town centre during the Georgian expansion of the former Tudor fishing village which included Hawley Square, Marine Gardens and the High Street. Marine Gardens showcased the sea front, the High Street was focused on commerce, while Hawley Square contained grand houses set around a garden. Together, these interconnected areas were designed to attract Londoners to holiday by the sea.

The Tudor House Museum, King Street

Dating back to 1525, this half-timbered Tudor building is currently closed for restoration and is one of Margate’s oldest buildings. Originally, it was the home of a prosperous Yeoman farmer though over the years the building has also been home to Master Mariners, Flemish weavers, Cordwainers (who traditionally made footwear and riding tack for the military from fine, soft leather) and farmers; 1776 map shows a large farmyard surrounding the residence. The Tudor House has Jacobean plaster ceilings decorated with fleur de lys, dolphins and Tudor roses, as well as period rooms and a formal garden, all of which offer a glimpse into 16th century life. Many of its features, including its two-story layout, were relatively advanced at that time. The house was an excellent example of the change that was taking place from the medieval hall-style home to picking several smaller rooms. 

Other features of the house that would have been seen as contemporary at that time were an early form of double glazing and its twin chimneys.  Margate Tudor House was rescued from demolition in the 1930s and refurbished using methods from the Tudor Period. 

Margate Caves, 1 Northdown Road

Once a chalk mine, the caves became a Victorian attraction in 1863. They remained shut down for more than 100 years before they were rediscovered and converted into a tourist attraction. The caves were restored between 2011 and 2019. Visitors can explore the underground murals and learn more about the history of the site, including archeological finds, some of which date back to Anglo-Saxon times. The caves feature a portrait of the Viking warlord, Voltigern, a figure of historic significance in the area, as well depicting the the 7 ft tall smuggling giant which symbolises the town’s rich maritime history.

Margate Museum, Market Place

This is in the old Town Hall, which was previously the magistrates’ court and police station. It has Victorian prison cells and artefacts from archeological excavations in the area as well as displays of the local maritime history. It is currently closed for renovation.

Old Kent Market, 8 Fort Hill

This historic building was originally a cinema and is now a market with food, vintage and craft items. The Little Prince is said to be the UK’s smallest pub. The bus cafe is a popular attraction and now serves a good selection of Asian cuisine.

Margate Harbour

Turner Contemporary and Lighthouse – Designed by UK architect David Chipperfield, the gallery stands on the site of a Boarding House where the artist J M W Turner used to stay with the Landlady, his partner Mrs Sophine Booth or “The Shell Lady” (Ann Carrington 2008). The gallery itself is now a major architectural landmark.

“The Shell Lady” – At the far end of the stone pier stands the sculpture of “The Shell Lady”, created by the contemporary artist and sculptor Ann Carrington, in 2008. The sculpture is 12 feet tall and is made of bronze. This sculpture is referred to as “The Shell Lady” because it is inspired by the shell lady souvenirs featured at gift shops across the town. 

Sophie Booth was born to German parents in Dover in 1798. She then relocated to Margate, where she married a local Fisherman, John Henry Pound, in 1818. Sadly, in 1821 her husband drowned at sea, leaving her with their two sons, Daniel and Joseph, but tragically Joseph died before he turned six. 

She then married John Booth, a gentleman 37 years her senior, and together they established a guest house on the town’s seafront. Sophie gave birth to a son, John Pound Booth, in 1826, but he died at ten from cholera. 

In 1828, J M W Turner began visiting the Booth guesthouse, as the quality of light within the area fascinated him and inspired several of his paintings. After the death of her husband in 1833, Sophia had once again become a widow, and she and Turner became lovers. Although they never married, they were both referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Booth. 

You can watch my video of Margate Old Town here, to find out more about these and other stories and bring them to life.

Thank you.

Catherine