Experience Kent’s Creative Isle - 48 hours in Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate
SUPPORTED ARTICLE: Visit Thanet give us their expertise on where to spend your creative 48 hours
Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate have provided inspiration for some of history’s greatest authors, artists and architects and the isle continues to inspire creativity today.
If you fancy trying something new, unleashing your inner creative, or perhaps brushing up on existing creative skills, then check out our ‘pick and mix’ suggestions for a creative 48-hour break.
There’s certainly a lot to choose from. Workshops range from glass fusing and leatherwork to cookery and photography.
We have one of the UK’s leading art galleries and a myriad of small, independent studios. Plus there are public art trails that you can explore on foot or on a guided bike tour, all beside a breathtaking backdrop of award-winning beaches and bays.
Let’s paint a picture - a bit of background on our inspirational Isle
Famous British artist JMW Turner visited Margate often during his lifetime, to capture the sea and the skies, which he described as ‘the loveliest in all Europe, and to see his landlady Sophia Booth.
Charles Dickens regularly holidayed in Broadstairs, finding inspiration in the town and its characters, he wrote, ‘You cannot think how delightful and fresh the place is and how good the walks’.
Ramsgate is the architectural jewel in the Isle’s coastal crown, it is here, on the cliff tops overlooking the country’s only Royal Harbour, that 19th century architect Augustus Pugin , designed and built his own house, The Grange, as an example of Gothic architecture.
More recently, Tracey Emin has returned to live in Margate, the town she grew up in, and has opened artist studios for students.
In pink neon above The Visitor Information Centre at Droit House she declares ‘I never stopped loving you’. Broadstairs baker Chetna Makan appeared on The Great British Bake Off in 2014 and has gone on to publish several popular cookery books. Last year, Ramsgate jeweller and ceramicist Lois Gunn won Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down.
There is definitely something about this wonderful corner of Kent, with its spectacular coastline and amazing skies, that attracts, inspires and brings out the creative in us all.
Starting with a blank canvas
However you travel to the area, it’s good to stretch your legs after the journey.
Why not take a coastal walk, leaving work and worries behind you with each step, reach a sense of calm and feel refreshed. Notice how gold our sands are, the changing colours of the sea and the cloud formations in our big skies - there’s nothing better than being in the moment and noticing the wonder around you.
Follow the Viking Coastal Trail and part of the newly opened King Charles III National Coast Path, which takes in all of our coastline and can be walked or cycled in small sections.
Unlock your imagination and ignite your creative spark
We can’t list everything here and do it justice, so we’ve provided a few highlights and a link to other workshops where you will find more details. It’s a ‘pick and mix’ opportunity for you to select those that tickle your taste buds the most.
Turner Rowe Art Centre and Gallery in Ramsgate specialises in fused glass, copper foiled glass, hand-built pottery, lino-printing and jewellery making, so plenty of workshop options.
Jo and Fran are passionate about teaching others their skills. Between them they have a wealth of experience in teaching their art and love to facilitate the expression of your creative endeavours. Find out more about their workshops and see some of their amazing creations at www.turnerroweartcentre.com
Kent Talents Art Centre and Gallery in Broadstairs offers art classes for adults and children, plus workshops including Anime and Manga drawing, acrylic painting, watercolour painting, abstract painting, The Magic of Blue and White. They also offer piano lessons, Gzhel-style porcelain painting and have a poetry club.
In Margate, the team at Go Create are passionate about inspiring and coaching. They run innovative on-trend art, craft and design courses, plus workshops in painting, drawing, ceramics, mosaic and photography. They are not simply aiming to create learning experiences but fun experiences to help individuals draw out inner potential and unexpected creations. gocreate.co.uk/
There are also opportunities to ‘dip your toes’ into making your own bespoke scented candles, creating your own garden in a jar, creative writing and pottery painting.
Further information on these and other workshops and creative courses in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate can be found at www.visitthanet.co.uk/artexperiences/
Galleries galore and art in unexpected places
Turner Contemporary is one of the UK’s leading art galleries, founded to celebrate JMW Turner and his connections to Margate. It’s a place for artistic exploration and discovery with a rolling programme of exhibitions, activities and workshops.
Venture further around the town, and indeed across the Isle, to discover a myriad of small, independent galleries and studios. Meet artists and makers as you browse, you may even be tempted to start your own art collection. www.visitthanet.co.uk/galleries/
Follow Ramsgate’s public art trail as it weaves along the seafront and through the town unveiling sculptures, murals and installations.
Discover the town’s connection to Vincent van Gogh, sit on a three piece suite made out of bricks and walk up the steps adorned with tiles inspired by famous architect Augustus Pugin.
Pugin spent the last 10 years of his life in Ramsgate, building a home, the gloriously gothic The Grange. Or take in Margate’s street art on a tour by electric bicycle (eBike) discovering a range of street art by internationally famous artists including Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Ann Carrington and recent ‘Rise Up Residency’ educational murals aimed at inspiring people to reduce their use of plastics.
Turn your creative adventure into a culinary delight
Whether it’s brunch with friends in an old bus, a seafood dinner overlooking spectacular golden sands, fish and chips, street food or a micropub tour – Thanet has a feast of places to sup and devour local award-winning food and drink including allergen-friendly, veggie and vegan options.
For a more ‘hands-on’ culinary experience try one of the cookery classes at Margate Cookery School or a foraging walk and lunch with Dr. Forager. www.visitthanet.co.uk/experiences
As the sun sets, the evening entertainment begins
The Isle’s evening entertainment offers a diverse and thrilling array of options.
Dive into the dramatic arts at the Granville, Sarah Thorne or tiny Tom Thumb theatres, where performances transport audiences to captivating worlds. Immerse yourself in the dynamic beats of various music genres, from intimate gigs at Ramsgate Music Hall and top bouncing DJ nights and outdoor festival-style fun at Dreamland to laugh-out-loud comedy nights.
Throughout the year there is the addition of festivals too including Broadstairs Blues Bash, Broadstairs Folk Week, Margate Soul Festival and Ramsgate Festival of Sound showcasing internationally renowned artists, grassroots acts, theatrical spectaculars and captivating art.
With such a rich tapestry of entertainment, the evenings in these coastal havens promise an unforgettable and culturally diverse experience.
Sweet dreams
There is a wonderfully welcoming selection of places to stay, from seafront hotels and cosy cottages to boutique B&Bs and rural retreats. There are even a few places where the creative and artistic theme continues, allowing you to be fully immersed in the artistic spirit of these captivating coastal towns.
The Fort Road Hotel in Margate features work by local artists including Hannah Lees, Matthew Derbyshire and Tracey Emin. Nearby Rosslyn Court hosts regular music and dance workshops, plus music and open mic nights.
In Broadstairs, the Bay Tree Hotel features Harry Potter artwork by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima, who created the graphic universe of the entire Harry Potter film series. The Royal Albion Hotel has partnered with Kent Talents Art Centre to host exhibitions and art sessions.
The eight guest rooms and two apartments at Ramsgate’s The Falstaff boutique hotel, feature work by local artists, plus there’s a creative space hosting vibrant art shows, cultural events and creative workshops - a perfect blend of relaxation and creativity.
All this and more just 70 minutes away from London on Southeastern’s High Speed train.
Did you know, Southeastern has a series of podcasts entitled ‘Hop on Board’ which gives a unique view of some of the best things a region has to offer?
In ‘Get Cultured’ with Miranda Sawyer you can discover more about Turner Contemporary before meeting Margate’s very own BritArt icon Tracey Emin - www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/hoponboard
Find out more at www.visitthanet.co.uk/creative48hours including the opportunity to enter a competition to win a 48 hour creative escape in Ramsgate.
