Dreamland Review

In our first blog post about Margate Dreamland was shut and we said we would put out another piece specifically about Dreamland when it reopened in December so here is that piece.

Growing up in Margate Dreamland has always been there in one form or another for me whether it was open, closed, burnt down or standing. I never got to see Dreamland when it was at its best back when it had animals, more rides and less regulations but I, as well as most other people are more than happy that it has been regenerated and reopened. Seeing the Scenic Railway burnt down and left to rot for so many years really was tragic and here’s to hoping it never ends up that way again.

A Look Back in Time

A look back in time at pictures from Margate throughout the years, The photos actually come from my Nan, who has lived in Margate for over 50 years now after moving there from Birmingham. This is also where the old 1970’s footage for the video also came from so take that as your creative attribution.

Postcard from… Retro Margate

A weekend trip to Margate? Why would you go there? – is the question some people will ask. We took a trip down to the South East coast to see how Margate’s recent revival had left it and if it is worth revisiting now.

A brief history of Margate’s demise and re-emergence

Margate is dubbed as the original seaside resort and during the 60s and 70s it attracted thousands of peoplelike Del Boy and Rodney (during Only Fools and Horses 1989 Christmas special) every weekend from London and further afield. Blessed with miles of golden sands, amusements and other activities the town offered city people a break from city life.

While it got to enjoy the highs though it has had to suffer the lowest of lows. A few tragic events meant that a joyeous seaside town became almost deserted of holiday maker in just a few years. Following this the town had a continued spell of misfortune making it worse and worse. Its’ fortunes have turned though and since the end of the 00’s Margate has began to rise again. A brief history of these events follows.

We Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside: Regeneration Sparks New Life into Rundown Seaside Towns

A bucket and spade, the crunch in your sandwiches from the sand, having to lick your ice cream so it doesn’t drip all down your hand and narrowly missing out on that soft toy that you’ve paid over the odds for at the arcades. There is something quite unique about a trip to the seaside.

Or at least there was in the 60s and 70s when people flocked to the seaside like migratory birds for their annual holidays. Since then British seasides have become derelict, rundown and abandoned as holiday destinations. As people started going on cheap all-inclusive package holidays to Spain and other European destinations where the sun was guaranteed for less than the cost of a visit the seaside.

In recent years however seaside towns around the coastline have started a renaissance to silence the critics and attract people to their shores once more.

Video: A Focus on Margate’s Regeneration: From Rundown to Retro Paradise

This video focuses on Margate’s regeneration in recent years as a result of the Turner Contemporary and Dreamland. Sir Roger Gale MP for North Thanet speaks and there is a look back at Margate in the 1970’s before the package holiday boom.