Guidebook for Saint Margaret's and around
Walking by the sea
Our top 3 recommendations for where to spend the day.
St Margaret’s is located within the Kent Downs “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” famous for its panoramic views of the white cliffs and French coastline.
If nothing else, visit the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse (20 min coastal walk). Along the way follow a trail of wartime fortresses, bomb craters and at very low tide spot shipwrecks. If you can book in advance we recommend the National Trust Langdon cliff tunnels tour (also within the vicinity of Dover Castle) and Dover Sea Safari tours for the adventurous.
23 locals recommend
National Trust The White Cliffs of Dover
Upper RoadSt Margaret’s is located within the Kent Downs “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” famous for its panoramic views of the white cliffs and French coastline.
If nothing else, visit the Victorian South Foreland Lighthouse (20 min coastal walk). Along the way follow a trail of wartime fortresses, bomb craters and at very low tide spot shipwrecks. If you can book in advance we recommend the National Trust Langdon cliff tunnels tour (also within the vicinity of Dover Castle) and Dover Sea Safari tours for the adventurous.
Deal is a quaint seaside town (popular with music and art lovers). A coastal walk from our place takes approx 2hrs (see the Zetland pub, Walmer Castle and Deal Castle along the way) or it’s a 20 min drive. We recommend Deal Pier kitchen at the end of the pier for food.
Here’s a good website with general info about the town itself www.highstreetdeal.co.uk recommended for independent shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants.
51 locals recommend
Deal Pier
Beach StreetDeal is a quaint seaside town (popular with music and art lovers). A coastal walk from our place takes approx 2hrs (see the Zetland pub, Walmer Castle and Deal Castle along the way) or it’s a 20 min drive. We recommend Deal Pier kitchen at the end of the pier for food.
Here’s a good website with general info about the town itself www.highstreetdeal.co.uk recommended for independent shops, cafes, galleries and restaurants.
Folkestone’s restored Harbour Arm is open daily; a promenade out at sea with a World-class view. Go here for seafood, or a variety of pop up food, drink, music, market stalls and entertainment on offer at the weekend. 25 min drive. Check their website for latest.
We recommend ‘the Folkestone wine company’ a small seasonal restaurant on the high street
105 locals recommend
Folkestone Harbour Arm
Harbour Approach RoadFolkestone’s restored Harbour Arm is open daily; a promenade out at sea with a World-class view. Go here for seafood, or a variety of pop up food, drink, music, market stalls and entertainment on offer at the weekend. 25 min drive. Check their website for latest.
We recommend ‘the Folkestone wine company’ a small seasonal restaurant on the high street
Places to eat and drink (within walking distance of our place)
St Margaret’s vicinity-
Local pub on the beach minutes walk from our place serving fish & chips, sandwiches, burgers etc. We particularly recommend this place if you’ve just arrived and are in search of a nearby easy dinner overlooking the French coastline. Indoor fire in winter. Dog friendly in the bar and outside.
35 locals recommend
Coastguard
Bay HillLocal pub on the beach minutes walk from our place serving fish & chips, sandwiches, burgers etc. We particularly recommend this place if you’ve just arrived and are in search of a nearby easy dinner overlooking the French coastline. Indoor fire in winter. Dog friendly in the bar and outside.
It’s now called “First Light” a cafe, bar (occasional pop up, occasional live music) at the top of Bay Hill (5 minutes or so up the hill).
Sandra's Cafe & Bar
1-3 The DrovewayIt’s now called “First Light” a cafe, bar (occasional pop up, occasional live music) at the top of Bay Hill (5 minutes or so up the hill).
Local pub and restaurant within 15- 20 minute walk of our place. Quite an extensive menu offering a random fusion of mexican/spanish foods, a pizza menu, traditional English pub food and sunday roasts.
12 locals recommend
The Smugglers
High StreetLocal pub and restaurant within 15- 20 minute walk of our place. Quite an extensive menu offering a random fusion of mexican/spanish foods, a pizza menu, traditional English pub food and sunday roasts.
This is our favoured beach pub, known for seafood, sandwiches and the like. The best way to visit the Zetland is a daytime coastal walk from St Margaret's Bay to Kingsdown directly along the cliff tops which takes around and hour (mostly downhill). 10 min drive (next village along towards Deal).
75 locals recommend
Zetland Arms
Wellington ParadeThis is our favoured beach pub, known for seafood, sandwiches and the like. The best way to visit the Zetland is a daytime coastal walk from St Margaret's Bay to Kingsdown directly along the cliff tops which takes around and hour (mostly downhill). 10 min drive (next village along towards Deal).
These tearooms are very close by (next to the parking) offering traditional tea, cake, lunches. Opening times vary. Overlooking the pines gardens, dog friendly and moments from our property but also note there is the very famous South Foreland lighthouse tearooms (listed further down) which is our must do - for the stunning view.
19 locals recommend
The Pines Garden
Beach RoadThese tearooms are very close by (next to the parking) offering traditional tea, cake, lunches. Opening times vary. Overlooking the pines gardens, dog friendly and moments from our property but also note there is the very famous South Foreland lighthouse tearooms (listed further down) which is our must do - for the stunning view.
Boodles
3 The DrovewayCafe and tearoom
Dining out in the local towns
In no particular order covers casual bistro style to fish n chips to fine dining in Deal, Dover, Folkestone and Canterbury all within a 5- 25 min drive.
Great breakfast, bottomless brunch, surf and turf options: check website. Dog friendly.
44 locals recommend
Deal Pier Kitchen
Beach StreetGreat breakfast, bottomless brunch, surf and turf options: check website. Dog friendly.
Folkestone town- a neighbourhood restaurant serving simple seasonal foods and delicious wine.
20 locals recommend
Folkestone Wine Company
5 Church StFolkestone town- a neighbourhood restaurant serving simple seasonal foods and delicious wine.
Good food and wine with a bistro style. Casual and local favourite on Deal high st. Also find their sister wine bar Le Pinardier close by.
55 locals recommend
Frog And Scot
86 High StGood food and wine with a bistro style. Casual and local favourite on Deal high st. Also find their sister wine bar Le Pinardier close by.
Just outside the village. 5 min drive. Very popular and busy Asian fusion curry house. Takeaway available.
16 locals recommend
The Swingate Inn & Namaste Dover
Deal RoadJust outside the village. 5 min drive. Very popular and busy Asian fusion curry house. Takeaway available.
Walmer Fish & Chips
36 The StrandRecommended fish and chips on the Walmer strand (15 min drive)
Wheeler's Fish and Chips Dover
Waterloo CrescentMarco Pierre White's fish n chips cafe with views of the seafront
Recommended fish and chips - eat in or take away in Deal town
23 locals recommend
Middle Street Fish Bar
78 Middle StRecommended fish and chips - eat in or take away in Deal town
Folkestone Harbourside seafood fine dining with panoramic sea views. Otherwise the old Folkestone pier and Harbour Arm area is well worth visiting for the fish market, pop up food stalls, art and the like
116 locals recommend
Rocksalt
4-5 Fish MarketFolkestone Harbourside seafood fine dining with panoramic sea views. Otherwise the old Folkestone pier and Harbour Arm area is well worth visiting for the fish market, pop up food stalls, art and the like
Flotsamandjetsamofbroadstairs seafood + frites (find them on Instagram) menu includes squid ink battered monkfish, soft shell crab dumplings, gojuchang mayo...
Broadstairs is not particularly local (36 min drive) but well worth the visit.
69 locals recommend
Wyatt and Jones
23-27 Harbour StFlotsamandjetsamofbroadstairs seafood + frites (find them on Instagram) menu includes squid ink battered monkfish, soft shell crab dumplings, gojuchang mayo...
Broadstairs is not particularly local (36 min drive) but well worth the visit.
The Lane
15 South StBurgers, ribs, burritos, tea and cocktails. Deal high st.
French style bistro, the restauranteur is also the artist. Deal high st.
41 locals recommend
Victuals & Co
2 Saint George's RoadFrench style bistro, the restauranteur is also the artist. Deal high st.
Mr. White's English Chophouse Dover
Waterloo CrescentMarco Pierre White's steakhouse with views of the seafront
Aspendos
12 King StLocal favourite, kitsch turkish restaurant. Dover town.
Indoor farmers market next to Canterbury west station, Italian bakery, butchers, cheese etc. local things, nice things, enjoy sandwiches and snacks or wine and dine at the restaurant
99 locals recommend
The Goods Shed
Station Road WestIndoor farmers market next to Canterbury west station, Italian bakery, butchers, cheese etc. local things, nice things, enjoy sandwiches and snacks or wine and dine at the restaurant
Chic, cycling inspired cafe/ restaurant in the Canterbury countryside
14 locals recommend
The Independent Pedaler
Partridge DriveChic, cycling inspired cafe/ restaurant in the Canterbury countryside
Hey Hey
8 Victoria Rdcontemporary Asian fusion restaurant and take away. Deal.
Extensive meat, fish and plant based menu. Perfect if you have a car, it’s notoriously hard to getting a dinner reservation unless you book in advance but if you fancy exploring the nearby Canterbury countryside this would be our best recommendation for a Kentish lunch.
76 locals recommend
The Pig - at Bridge Place
Bourne Park RoadExtensive meat, fish and plant based menu. Perfect if you have a car, it’s notoriously hard to getting a dinner reservation unless you book in advance but if you fancy exploring the nearby Canterbury countryside this would be our best recommendation for a Kentish lunch.
Getting Around
Dover Priory station
it's roughly a 10min journey £12 taxi to our place.
Mike's Bikes Deal
55 Marine RdRecommended by some guests
Keep in mind though this is closer in distance to our place/ St Margaret's, there is no taxi rank. The walk is lovely but around 1hr to our place. You'd be better off just getting a taxi from Dover Priory station or Deal station.
Martin Mill Station
Martin MillKeep in mind though this is closer in distance to our place/ St Margaret's, there is no taxi rank. The walk is lovely but around 1hr to our place. You'd be better off just getting a taxi from Dover Priory station or Deal station.
Essentials
Newsagent with basic essentials about a 15 minute walk or 3 min drive. Opens 8 - 8
7 locals recommend
The Village Shop
Newsagent with basic essentials about a 15 minute walk or 3 min drive. Opens 8 - 8
For any cooking supplies you might need - open 24hr expect Sundays closed 4pm. Lidl also close by.
22 locals recommend
Tesco Extra
Millstrood RoadFor any cooking supplies you might need - open 24hr expect Sundays closed 4pm. Lidl also close by.
Sightseeing
Dover Castle
Castle Hill RoadCanterbury Cathedral Archives
11 The PrecinctsTudor castle and former holiday home of the Queen Mother, it is said that Walmer Castle is nicer than Dover Castle (if you had to pick). See original "Wellington boots" and walk around tranquil gardens. Also within minutes of nice pubs and restaurants.
101 locals recommend
Walmer Castle and Gardens
Kingsdown RoadTudor castle and former holiday home of the Queen Mother, it is said that Walmer Castle is nicer than Dover Castle (if you had to pick). See original "Wellington boots" and walk around tranquil gardens. Also within minutes of nice pubs and restaurants.
Nostalgic and iconic. This is Victorian postcard, picture perfect Dover. First, take a stroll across the two mile stretch of cliffs and admire the glorious pearly white of the lighthouse from afar. Visiting Mrs Knotts tearoom at South Foreland Lighthouse you will encounter a quintessentially quirky environment to enjoy your tea and cake.
36 locals recommend
South Foreland Lighthouse
Nostalgic and iconic. This is Victorian postcard, picture perfect Dover. First, take a stroll across the two mile stretch of cliffs and admire the glorious pearly white of the lighthouse from afar. Visiting Mrs Knotts tearoom at South Foreland Lighthouse you will encounter a quintessentially quirky environment to enjoy your tea and cake.
For those with a real spirit of adventure we recommend any of these scenic sea tours: featuring old fishing villages, the Goodwin Sands, seals, hidden wrecks and wartime forts. Must be booked in advance. Find online: Dover sea safari.
23 locals recommend
Dover Sea Sports Centre
EsplanadeFor those with a real spirit of adventure we recommend any of these scenic sea tours: featuring old fishing villages, the Goodwin Sands, seals, hidden wrecks and wartime forts. Must be booked in advance. Find online: Dover sea safari.