Margate, Kent. A town on the south-east coast that’s managed to retain and regain some of the good old-fashioned British seaside town charm of its heyday. 

On the surface Margate seems, at first, rather sleepy - but head down towards the pier or into the Old Town and there’s a definite bustle afoot. Vintage, antiques and independent shops are aplenty - and its not short of a good bolthole or two either!

Margate’s two main attractions are perhaps the Turner Art Gallery and Dreamland, two striking and imposing buildings in their own rights. They bring an artistic and creative edge to Margate, which has been gradually flourishing since a post-recession regeneration programme took place in the town, spearheaded by the opening of the Turner Contemporary in 2011. Now Margate is home to lots of artists and has become a popular alternative to places such as London and Brighton for studio spaces.

It’s about 90 minutes on the train from London on a good day - a straightforward journey and well worth taking if you’re ever down that way or just fancy getting out of the city for a bit.