Ride the cultural wave at Margate, Broadstairs and Image: John Miller John Image: Guy Kane Image:

Broadstairs – quintessential seaside resort Quex Park - explore heritage, nature and education Ramsgate Tunnels – protection during WWII

For group visit ideas and information go to www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups or call 01843 577577 Viking Bay, Broadstairs View from Margate Harbour Arm Welcome Why Visit Margate, The seaside resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, are situated on the Broadstairs and Ramsgate? north-eastern coast of Kent. Each has their own character delivering great-value, quality attractions and facilities for the group travel trade. • Located just 75 miles (121km) • Visit the new Pugin and St 15 sandy beaches from London and 20 miles Augustine Visitor Centre and bays with (32km) from Dover The area is rich in history and heritage with strong links to great names. See if you • Discover world class collections more Blue Flag agree with Charles Dickens who loved to holiday in Broadstairs and described • See world-class art at Margate’s at the Powell-Cotton Museum, beaches than any it as ‘Our English watering place’ and Augustus Pugin, designer of the interiors international art gallery Turner Quex House and Gardens Contemporary other district of the Houses of Parliament, lived in Ramsgate in the house he designed ‘The • Ramsgate, the only Royal Harbour Grange’. 2017 sees the opening of the new Pugin and St Augustine Visitor Centre, • Experience JMW Turner’s and Marina in the country celebrating ’s first missionary and remarkable Pugin architecture. Margate (Turner Contemporary, • Miles of glorious coastline Turner Itinerary) The internationally acclaimed Margate’s Turner Contemporary, is named after the and 15 sandy beaches and bays famous artist JMW Turner, who frequently visited the town and described the skies • Dreamland Margate, UK’s with more Blue Flag beaches than original pleasure park any other district here as ‘the loveliest in Europe’. Take a ride through the decades on Gallopers, Big Wheel and Grade II* Scenic Railway alongside arcades, side shows, events and roller • Explore Charles Dickens’ • Itinerary suggestions – Pugin’s disco at ‘The UK’s original Pleasure Park’ Dreamland. Broadstairs (Dickens House Ramsgate, Frontline Thanet, Museum, Bleak House, annual Beside the Original Seaside, Take an indoor safari and discover Major Powell-Cotton’s extensive world class Dickens Festival) Dickens’ Watering Hole and Cultural Thanet collection of his African Adventures, alongside a historic house, acres of gardens, • Learn about AWN Pugin farmers market and much more. Or get close to iconic fighter aircraft at the (The Grange, St Augustine’s • Accommodation available Spitfire and Hurricane Museum. Church, Pugin Town Trail for groups (self-guided walk))

01843 577577 [email protected] www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups Free to enter and pay to ride. Peak and off peak wristbands available from as little as £7. See website for full details Dreamland Group discounts available (10% or more) for groups of 15+. Group discounts available for Octopus It’s a place where vintage cool holds hands with modern Garden and Roller Disco design and goes for a lovely beachside stroll... For a bespoke group booking or quote please email [email protected] or call 01843 295887

Public pay and display car park and coach parking onsite Belgrave Road, Margate CT9 1XG

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Dreamland has a wide range of delicious food and drink Credit: Benjamin Beker around the park to suit all tastes and budgets

Please check the website for times

01843 295887 [email protected] Turner Contemporary www.dreamland.co.uk

See world-class art in a stunning seaside setting Entry to the gallery is free

Turner Contemporary is one of stayed when visiting the town, The UK’s original pleasure park is To keep those smiles wide, And if the little ones are looking There is a drop-off point the most distinctive galleries in with spectacular views out to outside the gallery and a full of a host of stylishly restored, they’ve got a great range of for something fun to do, the the UK, showcasing the best in sea. Original works by Turner coach park nearby recreated and retro-fitted rides food on offer as well as the Octopus’s Garden boasts a circus contemporary and historical art. are always on display at the and amusements from the Dreamland Shop which is selling tent, beach huts, a potting shed Through a rolling programme gallery, from a single work Special group packages available, Golden Age of British seaside the best in British Design as well for arts and crafts, sand pits and of temporary exhibitions and to sketchbooks and entire including tours, creative sessions, hols. The amusement park is as some perfectly crafted items soft play – plus guests can refuel catering and shop discount events, the gallery offers a exhibitions. The iconic building, free to enter and pay to ride and and souvenirs so you can take a at the restaurant with a selection space for everyone to embrace designed by award-winning Turner Contemporary’s café for those brave enough there piece of the park home with you. of yummy cakes, sandwiches, their curiosity. Inspired by David Chipperfield Architects, are unlimited ride wristbands drinks and lunch boxes. serves delicious modern seasonal If that’s not enough, why not Britain’s best-loved painter, JMW has been voted as a 21st Century cuisine, with food and drink available to enable you to make don some skates and step into Finally, they have lined up a host Turner, the gallery is situated landmark by British Airways. sourced locally where possible the most out of your day at the retro Roller Room? With a of unmissable events, celebrating on the same site where Turner Dreamland. But there’s more to glamorous backdrop of lights the best of British culture, Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Dreamland than just brilliant Holidays Autumn/Winter 10am- and a swinging soundtrack of each with that unmistakable retro rides and amusements. It’s 5pm, Spring/Summer 10am-6pm music, guests will be whizzing Dreamland vibe. All part of the a place where vintage cool holds round the floor like a pro. great big happy day and night out 01843 233000 hands with modern design and that is Dreamland Margate. [email protected] goes for a lovely beachside stroll. www.turnercontemporary.org/visit

4 www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups [email protected] 5 Powell-Cotton Museum Quex House and Gardens

Visit their website for group rates or to receive a tailor- made quotation for your visit

Free and unlimited coach parking. Coach drivers receive a complimentary refreshment voucher for £5

Group rates for 20 and over – Adults £7 and Concessions £5

Mama Feelgoods Boutique Café caters for pre-booked groups of up to 100 guests serving delicious homemade dishes from an extensive menu. Afternoon cream teas and the finest selection of tea and coffee are also available. Lunch Hornby Visitor Centre bookings essential

Museum and Gardens open There are acres of beautiful informal gardens Mid-January to Mid-December Fascinating displays about some of Group rate for 8 and over – 10am – 5pm (closed on Adults £3.50, Concession £1.75 to explore, including herbaceous borders, Mondays, except Bank the nation’s best loved toys, iconic brands Holidays) exotic trees and a woodland walk of Hornby, Scalextric, Airfix and Corgi. Drop off and coach parking Quex House open from Easter onsite. Coach drivers receive to 31st October yearly 1 – 4pm free entry Naturalist, explorer and the public and proudly displaying (closed on Mondays, except The Hornby Visitor Centre, features sections dedicated to the iconic Bank Holidays & occasionally FREE guided tours of the Visitor collector Major PHG Powell- fascinating furniture, objet d’art closed for wedding functions. treasures from the Company’s brands of Hornby, Scalextric, Centre are available subject to Cotton established a museum and a beautiful library. Please check in advance of archives dating back as far as Airfix and Corgi. Visitors are able advance booking in the gardens of Quex House your visit) the 1920s, including fascinating to see some stunning model rail There are acres of beautiful to house his extensive world displays about some of the layouts and also try their skills Open 7 days a week informal gardens to explore, 01843 842168 class collection, consisting of nation’s best loved toys, with on a Scalextric circuit. 10am – 5pm (April – Sept), including herbaceous borders, 19th century natural history [email protected] 10am – 4pm (Oct – March) exotic trees, a woodland walk, from Africa and Asia, oriental www.quexpark.co.uk listed statues and a Victorian fine arts, antique furniture, 01843 233524 Walled Garden. Also at Quex Park, [email protected] ceramics, weaponry and local Quex Craft Village and Quex Barn www.hornby.com/visitorcentre archaeology. Quex House is a farmers market and restaurant. Regency mansion also open to

6 www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups [email protected] 7 Adult £6.50, Senior £5, Credit: John Coverdale Credit: Michael Desbruslais Child (3-16 years) £4, Under 3’s are Free

Free. Donations welcome Drop off point and coach Pugin and St Augustine parking available nearby Drop off point and coach parking available nearby Group visit arranged by prior Visitor Centre and Shrine agreement and advance notice Range of cafes and restaurants available nearby NEW for 2017: the Pugin and on Ramsgate’s clifftop. The Range of cafes and restaurants St Augustine Visitor Centre in church is also the Shrine of St Credit: Kane Guy available nearby Daily 10am - 4pm Ramsgate. Come and see the Augustine, the first Archbishop of Tours 1st November – 31st March ideal design of Augustus Pugin, Canterbury, who landed near here 01843 606756 Wednesday – Sunday 10am, 12pm [email protected] the man who designed Big Ben in AD 597. A fascinating historical and 2pm www.augustine-pugin.org.uk and the Houses of Parliament, at and active place! Ramsgate Tunnels Tours 1st April – 31st October the home of the Gothic Revival Wednesday – Friday 10am, 12pm, Home to over 1,000 people 2pm and 4pm, Weekends 10am, during the darkest period of WWII 12pm, 2pm and 4pm Free access to information display in Cartoon Room on Reopened May 2014, this during the darkest period of WWII 01843 588123 [email protected] Wednesday afternoons. Weekly complex of underground tunnels – come and experience how life guided tours of main rooms at www.ramsgatetunnels.org was home to over 1,000 people underground was for them. The Grange £4 per person

Drop off point and coach parking available nearby Defence of the Nation Education Centre Range of cafes and restaurants available nearby Free entry with suggested Situated within the Ramsgate donation 50p Pugin’s The Grange Open on Wednesday afternoons Tunnels, the museum identifies from 2-4pm or by appointment. the , its people Two guided tours for a maximum Wednesday – Sunday and its heritage as a location of Pugin’s contribution to the townscape of 10am – 4pm of 20 people: advance booking historical and strategic military Ramsgate brought lasting fame to the town essential to secure a place 07591 049788 importance. Restored by Landmark Trust, a of the Houses of Parliament. The Please book tour places in [email protected] www.defenceofthenation Grade I listed house designed Pugin family’s contribution to the advance through www.landmarktrust.org.uk educationcentre.org and lived in by 19th century townscape of Ramsgate brought Painting by Denis Smith or 01843 596401 architect Augustus Pugin who is lasting fame to the town and can best known for the magnificent be seen from the East Cliff to the Take in the sights and sounds of a working harbour as you walk around the only Royal Harbour in the country interiors, furnishings and fittings West Cliff. Learn and see more about the town’s maritime heritage with a visit to the Ramsgate Maritime Museum www.ramsgatemaritimemuseum.org

8 www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups [email protected] 9 Free entry Explore Charles Dickens’ favourite holiday resort Free onsite coach and car parking

Onsite Merlin Café Groups (10 – 25 people) British Winter time daily Adult £3.20, Under 16’s £2.10, 10am – 4pm Students £2.50 British Summer time daily 10am – 5pm Drop off point and coach Closed Mondays in January parking available nearby and February The Spitfire and Range of cafes and restaurants 01843 821940 available nearby [email protected] Hurricane Museum www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk 2017 season: Good Friday 14 April to Sunday 11 June 1 – 4.30pm Bringing history alive for all the family Saturday 17 June to Sunday 10 Sept 10am – 4.30pm The Spitfire & Hurricane Museum during WWII. In addition to Garden where all visitors are Monday 11 Sept to Tuesday 31 is a unique site which not only the collection, the museum welcome to sit on the benches to Dickens House October 1 – 4.30pm displays the two iconic war boasts a small shop and a relax and reflect in an evocative November Weekends only planes themselves but also fantastic café which serves teas, atmosphere. The Museum offers 1 – 4.30pm a whole host of objects and coffees and quality hot food. bespoke educational sessions and Museum Closed Dec – March artefacts which help tell the story Most important of all, the can accommodate group or coach 2018 season reopen Good Friday Explore Charles Dickens’ was the inspiration for Betsey of life in, and around, Ramsgate Allied Air Crew Memorial bookings. 30 March relationship with Broadstairs Trotwood in David Copperfield. through his letters and personal Also original prints, costumes and 01843 861232 items in the home owned by Victoriana. Guided tours available. [email protected] Mary Pearson Strong who www.dickensmuseumbroadstairs. co.uk Adults £2, Child 50p RAF Manston History Museum

Free onsite coach and car parking Adults £4, Child £2 Bleak House March – October daily Daily 11am-5pm 10am-4pm, Charles Dickens’ favourite November – February 01843 865338 holiday home and where he Weekends 10am-4pm www.bleakhousebroadstairs.co.uk wrote David Copperfield. Also

01843 825224 features The Smuggling Museum. [email protected] www.rafmanston.co.uk Walk around unspoilt and charming Broadstairs and you’ll find Crampton Tower Museum www.cramptontower.co.uk dedicated to Thomas Crampton, celebrating buses, trams and railwayana. Just outside Located opposite the Spitfire and Hurricane Museum. Based on the history Broadstairs experience a St Peter’s Village Tour where costumed of the airfield from 1916 with aircraft and artefacts dating back to WWI characters guide you through village history www.villagetour.co.uk War Graves tour available

10 www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups [email protected] 11 Why not plan your visit around one of the exciting EVENTS 2017 events in our annual calendar? Below is a sample of some of the larger events taking place this year. Adult £1.50, School groups and For full event information please visit our website students £1, joint ticket with and beyond Tudor House £2.50 www.visitthanet.co.uk

Drop off point and coach parking available nearby

Range of cafes and restaurants available nearby

Weekends all year plus April- Margate Museum September Wednesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays 11am-5pm Wednesdays during Winter Learn about Margate’s history Kashif Nadim Chaudry, Monstrance, Ramsgate Festival Broadstairs Food Festival 11.30am-2.30pm 2014. Courtesy the artist

Located in the Old Police Station of the Isle of Thanet, sea-bathing 01843 231213 OCTOBER 2016 MARCH 2017 SEPTEMBER 2017 and Magistrates Court learn machines, paddle-steamers, [email protected] about Margate’s history as part shipwrecks and day-trippers www.margatemuseum.org JMW Turner: Adventures in Ramsgate’s 1st International Heritage Open Days (7-10) Colour, John Akomfrah: Film and TV Festival (23-27) visitthanet.co.uk Vertigo Sea and Hannah Lees ramsgateiftvfest.org Broadstairs Food Festival (8 October 2016 – (29 September – 1 October) APRIL 2017 8 January 2017) broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk turnercontemporary.org Broadstairs Spring Fair (15-17)

Adult £1.50, School groups and broadstairsfoodfestival.org.uk OCTOBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2016 students £1, joint ticket with Jean Arp: The Poetry of Forms; MAY 2017 Margate Museum £2.50 Kashif Nadim Chaudry Tracey Emin, My Bed (19 November 2016 – Phyllida Barlow: ARTISTS and JMW Turner, Petworth Drop off point and coach parking 31 May 2017) ROOMS and Michael Armitage: (7 October 2017 – available nearby turnercontemporary.org New and recent paintings 14 January 2018) (27 May – 17 September) turnercontemporary.org Range of cafes and restaurants JANUARY 2017 available nearby turnercontemporary.org Entangled: Threads and Making Screamland (13,14,20,21,27 & 28) Wednesday and Weekends all (28 January – 7 May) JUNE 2017 year and Summer Bank Holidays turnercontemporary.org Broadstairs Dickens Festival dreamland.co.uk/screamland 11.30am-2.30pm Tudor House (17-23) NOVEMBER 2017 FEBRUARY 2017 broadstairsdickensfestival.co.uk 01843 231213 Thought to be one of the oldest of its kind in Kent, it was Ramsgate in World War One Quexmas – Christmas Fair [email protected] built around 1525 and is believed to be the home of a (1 February – 26 November) JULY 2017 (26) quexpark.co.uk www.margatemuseum.org wealthy yeoman farmer defenceofthenationeducation- Ramsgate Festival (22-30) centre.org ramsgatefestival.org

Broadstairs Blues Bash (17-19) Try to solve the mystery of the Shell Grotto’s 70ft of winding underground passages decorated with strange AUGUST 2017 broadstairsbluesbash.com symbols mosaiced in millions of shells. To plan your visit see www.shellgrotto.co.uk Broadstairs Folk Week (11-18) GEEK – Festival of games and broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk play (17-19) geek-play.com

12 www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups [email protected] 13 How to get here

The seaside towns of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are situated on the north-eastern coast of Kent and can be easily reached from London and mainland Europe via good road, rail, ferry and Eurotunnel services.

Coach Parking • M25 links to M26, M20, M2 then A299 into Thanet Margate Broadstairs Ramsgate • St. Pancras International Station, London to Ramsgate – 75 minutes Dreamland, Margate (CT9 1XG Joss Bay, Broadstairs (CT10 3PG) Port of Ramsgate (CT11 9FT) • Ferry services into Dover (approx 20 miles/32 km from Ramsgate) 4 hours – £10, 24 hours - £20 Prices 1 April – 31 October £18 per 24 hours or part thereof • Eurotunnel into Folkestone (approx 30 miles/42 km from Ramsgate) Margate Lido (CT9 1RX) 4 hours – £10, 24 hours - £20 by prior arrangement with Port All day £7 Vere Road, Broadstairs (CT10 1JF) Security tel 01843 587661 Prices 1 April to 31 October Until 31st March 2017 4 hours – £10, 24 hours - £20 Limited on-street parking at Prices 1 November - 31 March Victoria Parade (CT11 8DU) Planning to bring your group to our beaches & bays? Up to 24 hours - £10 and Royal Esplanade (CT11 0HE) 30 minutes drop off - £1 (all year) To help plan your group visit and keep safe on our beaches and bays, please take a Villages Millennium Way, Broadstairs look at this useful information Minnis Bay, Birchington (CT7 9QR) (CT10 2LA) Prices 1 April – 31 October www.visitthanet.co.uk/group-travel/group-beach-info Free on street parking 4 hours – £10, 24 hours - £20

Prices shown are 2016/17

14 www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups [email protected] 15 Sunrise over Ramsgate Royal Harbour

We can provide assistance with itinerary planning and destination literature. Free images for tour planners’, website and promotional material are available on request.

For more information, group visit ideas, accommodation and to sign up to receive our newsletter visit our website www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups or call 01843 577577

Included within this brochure is just a snapshot of what there is available in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate for group visits with lots more information on the area available on our website

For group visit ideas and information go to www.visitthanet.co.uk/groups or call 01843 577577

@VisitThanet @VisitThanet @VisitThanet

Cover image: View from Turner Contemporary over Margate Harbour