Shoreditch by Sea, a new nickname to show how cool Margate has become. The Starring attraction to the Victorian era beach resort is The Turner Contemporary Museum, a modern development that like the bow of a ship is the direction Margate is heading (I think it sort of looks like a bow, maybe it does from the sea).

The Turner Contemporary Museum

Long ago when the trains were the new hot-shit, Margate became one of the destinations of choice for those who could afford a trip away at the weekend. As flying became available and then dirt-cheap the quaint seaside villages constructed in the late 1800s were abandoned. Many have struggled to redevelop themselves, either having to rely on port trade, universities or just accepting that they have a momentary burst of popularity for those who have forgotten to book flights for their summer vacation. Margate, however has become a create hub with a large influx of artists, designers and creatives.

Walking around there is little wonder why people don’t live there (if you don’t have to be in a fi-di office). Many of the newly popular Victorian style houses are available and for those who do not enjoy car travel can cycle around most of Thanet or jet train into the city.

The promenade goes for miles, one should be able to follow it from The Turner Museum to the next town over, Broadstairs, and will find charming features like this difficult to use staircase above or these wonderful apartments below.

Everything in Margate seems to lend itself to being an indie album cover. Below is the cover for “sonic holiday” by the “clandestine reefs”

Margate is the British equivalent of the seaside town in the movie Jaws which is apt as the movie Jaws was a strange idea that became a trend setting pioneer just as Margate could be.