Lauren Tabbron shares her favourite things to do in Manchester
Jess Astbury regales tales of festivities in warmer climates.
And while it cannot be denied that the area has been in desperate need of a makeover for quite some time, the opening of the new Turner Contemporary Art Gallery on April 16th has given it a chance to prove itself once again as an up-and-coming tourist destination, not least due to its position on Frommer’s Top Destinations 2011 list, alongside the likes of Santiago and Rio de Janiero.
This summer, then, may be the perfect time to visit this English seaside town. As well as the usual seaside amusement arcades, there is plenty of culture too- T. S. Eliot wrote part of “The Waste Land” in the town, and Turner was a great fan, hence the new gallery. The Turner Contemporary has to be top of an itinerary of things to do in Margate - you will come out feeling all intelligent and cultured-and even better, admission is free! Stepping out of the train station you cannot miss the Gallery, gleaming at you from across the bay.
After this, a wander through the “Creative Quarter” is a must, for art lovers, vintage worshippers (because vintage is back in a big way in Margate), and anyone looking for a quaint little cafe to unwind in. Back towards the centre of town there are all the usual high street shops, and although several premises are still empty for the moment, there are high hopes that with the boom in tourism the gallery is expected to bring, new businesses will soon be up and running.
A wander on the gorgeous sandy beach is also a must-the Thanet area has several Blue Flag award beaches, including Margate Main Sands in the centre of town.
My advice, if you are going to visit Margate, is to do it soon, whilst the gallery is still new and attracting attention, and before everyone catches on to the long overdue renaissance of this quaint little town and prices here skyrocket!
I know Margate extremely well...or did. I went there on daytrips many times a summer every year when I was a kid. It was a jolly mini-Blackpool! Sadly it lost its economic 'point' and in recent years has filled up with heroin addicts and the lost and hopeless who live in its many welfare-friendly B&Bs. I'd love to see Margate on the up. Bring back bloody Dreamland!
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