Whistable/margate

[Ginfa]

I am looking to take my husband away for a couple of days to either of the above places - neither of us has ever been. We do like walking but also cocktail bars, restaurants and vintage shops. It would be in January so I appreciate it would be quiet then! Any tips gratefully appreciated

Having visited both a number of times I find Margate much more fun with great restaurants, bars and independent shops. Whitstable is more family friendly.

If you’re looking at that area I can also recommend Broadstairs and Ramsgate. There’s a lovely coastal walk between the two and lots of great places to eat especially in Broadstairs.

If the sight of brutalist architecture upsets you, avoid Margate. If you want Dickensian quaint go for Whitstable. It’s true there’s more of a “Hackney on Sea” vibe to Margate, if you want lots of bar and restaurant options it’s probably got more to offer.

It’s an amazing holiday! We went there a few years ago and stayed in a holiday park. Can definitely recommend the Buoy and Oyster restaurant in Margate (GF and loads of other options).

I’d choose Margate, I think. The Tate is fantastic if the weather’s shit and there are some lovely restaurants. Broadstairs is a bit seaside town in the winter in the winter (understandably!) I love Whitstable- but it is a bit conscious of itself….

I stayed in Whitstable last month. Know it well. It’s a traditional town and does have some nice shops. I can recommend Wheelers if you like sea food, but it’s not open every day, Samphire is also a lovely restaurant. Margate is always described as ‘up and coming’, there are a few funky shops in the old town area at the bottom, but the High Street is dire and has become worse over the past few years. Lots of empty shops. Faversham a bit further up the coast is ok, as is Sandwich and Broadstairs. The only thing I’d say is that it’s a cold windy coast and January is probably not the best time of year unless you are very lucky with the weather.

Margate is awful. It has the Tate and not much else going for it.

Sadly, Samphire is closed now. But very close to where it was is Harbour Tapas, which is spectacular.

It was open a couple of weeks ago when I visited, and its website is taking bookings so not sure if you’ve confused it with another place?

Gosh- it must have been being redecorated or something- the windows were blocked out when we went past a while ago. But it’s definitely open now. I’m so glad!