Local days out which won't cost you a penny!
Below is a list of 7 ideas of what you can do for free in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate…
Days out don’t have to cost a lot, with so much available for free. Put the purse away and spend the day surrounded by beautiful buildings, or gaining an education for you and kids – all for nothing! Fantastic for keeping the kids busy during the holidays, or to celebrate a special event.
- Turner Contemporary
Turner Contemporary is an internationally-renowned gallery showing contemporary and historical art.
In a striking building designed by award-winning architect Sir David Chipperfield, on the site where JMW Turner stayed in the 18th and 19th centuries, Turner Contemporary presents a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, events and learning opportunities.
Since opening in 2011, the art gallery has exhibited the work of countless international artists, including Turner Prize nominees and winners Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Yinka Shonibare, and Paula Rego, attracting over 2.6 million visits so far from all over the world.
- St Peter's Village Tour
Attend the flagship award winning Village Tour and meet many costumed characters from past centuries along with some surprises on the way! During the tour you will see the flint built Church and find out a little more about its long history.
You will hear of conditions in the workhouse, the Newbolts breakfast concerts for hundreds of fashionable people, the tower used in the Napoleonic wars, famous (and infamous) local residents and the ancient seat of local government for the area.
- Spitfire & Hurricane Museum
The Spitfire and Hurricane Museum is a unique site which not only displays the two iconic war planes themselves but also holds a host of objects and artefacts which help tell the story of life in and around Ramsgate during WWII. An absolute must visit, photography is welcome and best of all, it’s free to visit too!
Come along and visit and you may well find out one or two surprising stories from the Second World War. In addition to the collection, the museum boasts a small shop and fantastic café which serves teas, coffees and quality hot food.
- The Grange
The influential architect Augustus Pugin built The Grange in 1843 as a family home. He built it to live out his idea of life in a medieval, Catholic community, in buildings executed in the Gothic style of so-called pointed architecture.
Augustus Pugin is regarded as being one of Britain’s most influential architects and designers and to stay here in the home he designed for himself and his family offers a unique chance to step into his colourful and idiosyncratic world.
Augustus Pugin was also the designer of the interiors of the Houses of Parliament and of many very impressive churches and buildings.
- Viking Coastal Trail
One of the most attractive circular leisure cycle routes in Kent, covering 32 miles (51.4km), taking in the coast of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate before heading inland through the surrounding villages.
Offering family friendly cycling on level, traffic free promenades and broad sea walls, or along leisurely country lanes.
- Italianate Glasshouse and Tea Garden
The Italianate Glasshouse, a Grade II* listed historic monument was erected in the grounds of East Cliff Lodge, Sir Moses Montefiore's 22 acre estate in 1832. Sir Moses, a British financier and former Sheriff of London bought the magnificent structure from another impressive house, Bretton Hall in Yorkshire after seeing it in an auction catalogue.
The grounds of the house, now known as King George VI Memorial Park, were eventually taken over by Ramsgate Borough Council and the house was demolished in 1953.
Sadly neglected in the past, the Glasshouse was restored in 2005.
A recent addition has been the Tea Garden. Open on fine days during the summer months, visitors are able to relax and sample a delicious cream tea whilst enjoying the tranquil and peaceful surroundings.
- Sandwich & Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve
Sandwich & Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve - a complex mosaic of habitats of international importance for its bird population.
The Trust's largest and one of its most important nature reserves, with the only ancient dune pasture in Kent. The reserve is made up of a complex mosaic of habitats: inter-tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle beach, sand dunes, ancient dune pastures, chalk cliffs, wave cut platform and coastal scrubland.