- What is the nearest station to Margate Beach?
- Popular routes to Margate Beach
- What to do at Margate Beach
- Accommodation near Margate Beach
With its vibrant arts scene, golden sands, and year-round sea swimming, Margate Beach makes for a revitalising seaside escape at any time of the year. And, best of all, Margate is remarkably easy to reach by train, with just a three-minute stroll from Margate Station to the beach.
So, whether you're chasing Turner-style sunsets or eager to brave a dip in one of the UK’s largest tidal pools, this lively town on the Kent coast is the perfect combination of creative buzz and classic seaside charm - and it’s incredibly easy to get to, too!
In this guide, we’ll outline the best train routes from cities like London, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leicester, share smart ways to save on fares, and whet your appetite with what to see and do in Margate when you arrive, including shell-covered grottoes as well as vintage amusements and roller discos.
What is the nearest station to Margate Beach?
The closest station to Margate beach is Margate station, located just a short three-minute walk from the seafront. Exit the station, cross Station Approach, head straight through the town centre, and you’ll soon hit the golden sands.
Margate station is managed by Southeastern Rail, and opens between 06:15 and 9:30 on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 09:10 to 16:40 on Sundays. Facilities include accessible toilets, step-free access to all platforms, ticket machines, a waiting room, and parking spaces for 110 cars, as well as 60 bikes. With direct Southeastern services from St Pancras International and London Victoria, it’s an easy ride from the capital.
Popular routes to Margate Beach
London to Margate Beach
If you’re looking to escape the capital for a day or two by the sea, Margate makes for an easy day trip or weekend break. Hop on a direct Southeastern service at London Victoria or St Pancras International and you can be at Margate Station within 1 hour and 40 minutes. Return prices start from £24.
Trains from St Pancras also stop at Stratford International, making it easy for travellers to connect from East London or Essex. Services covering the 64-mile journey begin around 05:40, with the last return train leaving Margate at 23:15.
Alternatively, there’s a National Express coach service between London Victoria and Margate that takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes. With return fares from around £25, it’s a slower but equally budget-friendly option.
Leicester to Margate Beach
Start your journey from Leicester station by hopping on an East Midlands Railway service to London St Pancras International, which takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes. Standard connection times range between 15-30 minutes, giving you ample time to leisurely make your way to the Southeastern platform for the 90-minute train to Margate. With a smooth transfer, the entire 138-mile trip can take just under 4 hours.
The earliest service from Leicester departs at 04:44, arriving in Margate around 09:00. Ticket prices usually start at around £77.50 when booking in advance and using Split Tickets (automatically applied by Trip.com) or a Railcard. Heading home, the last train departs at 20:49.
Nottingham to Margate Beach
From Nottingham, just 30 minutes further up the line from Leicester, you can also hop on an East Midlands Railway service to London St Pancras International for the 152-mile trip to Margate that takes just under 2 hours and 30 minutes. Travellers boarding at Beeston or Loughborough can also use this route for a more convenient early start. After arriving at St Pancras, switch to a Southeastern service for the final 90-minute journey to Margate.
With a good connection, you can complete the full trip in just over 4 hours and 15 minutes. First Class tickets are available on the Nottingham to London section from just over £60, offering roomier seats, at-table plug sockets, as well as complimentary food and drink from Monday to Saturday, making a total ticket price of just over £90.
The earliest train leaves Nottingham at 04:39, getting you into Margate just after 09:00. Advance fares start from £88.50 but can be reduced further with a Railcard or by booking early and using Split Tickets. Again, the last return option departs for Nottingham at 20:49.
Birmingham to Margate Beach
The train journey from Birmingham to Margate Beach involves a couple of changeovers, but the journey itself is easy enough with only a short connection in the capital. Start at Birmingham New Street with an Avanti West Coast train to London Euston. Upon arrival, it’s a short tube ride or a 10-minute walk to St Pancras International, where you’ll catch a Southeastern service to Margate.
The 159-mile trip takes just under 3 hours and 50 minutes, and fares start from around £45.50 when booked in advance. First Class is available on the Birmingham to London section, offering roomier seats, lounge access, free Wi-Fi, as well as complimentary food and drink, for a total ticket price of around £175.
This route also applies to travellers starting their journey at Coventry or Milton Keynes, with the earliest train departing from Birmingham at 06:06, meaning you could be dipping your toes in the sea just after 09:00.
Alternatively, you can also travel from Birmingham Moor Street via Chiltern Railways to London Marylebone, cross the city by tube to Victoria Station and board a Southeastern train from there to Margate. This slightly longer route takes around 4 hours 40 minutes, but can offer more flexibility with timings and ticket options. A National Express bus service also operates from London Victoria.
What to do at Margate Beach
With Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, one of the UK’s largest saltwater pools, just a stone’s throw from the station, as well as beachside saunas and long sandy beaches, Margate Beach is undoubtedly one of Margate’s greatest attractions, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, or a seaside stroll all year round.
Those looking for a little culture can explore Margate’s vibrant art scene, including the acclaimed Turner Contemporary and Tracey Emin Foundation. You can go underground in the Shell Grotto and discover caverns adorned with millions of seashells, or discover the historic Margate Caves, once Iron Age dwellings which later became smugglers' dens. And for anyone in need of a little seaside nostalgia, don’t miss Dreamland, a revamped retro amusement park with both vintage rides and a roller disco.
Accommodation near Margate Beach
Thinking of staying over? Margate has some fantastic guest houses and boutique hotels just a stone’s throw away from the sea. So, whether you're looking to enjoy a picturesque sunset worthy of Turner or to explore Margate’s top-notch bars and restaurants, spending a night or two will give you the chance to really get beneath the town’s surface and uncover its hidden gems. A few popular examples include:
Holiday Inn Express Ramsgate - Minster
