Margate or Broadstairs?

[Clawdeen]

Thinking of taking the DC (7&9) for a day trip by train from London, possibly battling the bank holiday crowds. I've never been to either- can anyone recommend one over the other? Many thanks

Broadstairs!

Broadstairs is much, much nicer. Viking bay is a good safe beach and a short walk from the station. Morellis is a well known ice cream parlour. Broadstairs is more genteel, with independent shops and restaurants. There used to be good play facilities at both the local recreation ground by the station and Pierrmont Park. Much quieter than Margate.

Margate has a stunning, large sandy beach and the old town has received some regeneration monies with new art gallery by pier. It unfortunately has suffered more from coastal poverty than Broadstairs and the main beach is backed by bars, arcades and shut up shops. The town centre is desolate. I think the old Dreamland theme park has reopened with a wooden roller coaster but it was never amazing and had/has been derelict for many years.

Thank you both. Broadstairs was my first choice but then I wondered if I was doing my DCs a disservice by not letting them loose in the arcades and Dreamland. Is there still a bit of plastic tat/candy floss etc in Broadstairs? I'd be more than happy with paddling, deckchair and ice cream but sadly they haven't grown out of tat mode yet!

For a day trip Broadstairs will be great: it does have cheerful seaside tat shops, an amusement arcade in the little streets behind the beach, mini golf over on the other side, Morellis Ice Cream Parlour up in the gardens up above the beach.

Absolutely perfect! Ticks all the boxes. Thanks very much.

Make sure you check the trains as there are lots of engineering works on this weekend and it could be a nightmare with bus replacements

Broadstairs has a great crazy golf course just along from Morelli's.

Broadstairs to have a tiny arcade opposite the old curiosity shop. It also had trampolines on the beach and a beach mission that organised games and parties for children without a religious content. UBM, I recall it was called.

Just back from a brilliant day in Broadstairs. Punch and Judy, trampolines and bucket and spades. Didn't have time for mini golf and the queue was too long for Morellis sadly. Thank you all so much for your recommendation. Was very glad not to be amongst the heaving masses that left the train at Margate!