Margate Attractions in, Margate

Margate attractions, local Margate attractions, Kent

In the Cliftonville area of Margate you’ll find the Margate Caves, these are a selection of caves that were discovered around 1798. The caves were carved out of the chalk more than 1000 years ago and have a fascinating history including being used as a prison, a smugglers’ hideaway and even at one point as a secret place of worship.

Every town has to have a museum and Margate is no exception, so at the Margate Museum you’ll find the usual collection of paintings, photographs and various displays outlining the history of the area especially during its Victorian heyday.

A much over-looked attraction of Margate is its Shell Grotto. Further along from the Margate Caves on Northdown Road is Grotto Hill where you’ll find a shell shop. Access to the Shell Grotto is through the shop taking you along an underground chalk passage to a cavern filled with intricate mosaics made entirely out of shells. The date of these fabulous works of art is unknown but they are believed to be 2000, if not 3000 years old, making them well worth a look.