Margate in Kent has been named the second-cheapest seaside town in the UK by Compare the Market – but the cost of parking might surprise you a little.

GQ magazine has called the town, which was once one of the UK’s grandest seaside resorts before suffering a decline, “Britain’s most artistic destination”.

It has something for everyone, from art galleries to beaches, theme parks, and a flourishing food scene.

In Margate, the average cost of a meal is £7.50, the average price of a coffee is £2.80 and a pint of beer is on average £3.18. However, parking your car there will set you back £7.46 on average. 

Attractions include the Turner Contemporary Gallery, which is free to visit and features a range of world-class art exhibitions. The gallery is named after English Romantic painter Joseph Mallord William Turner, who often visited the town.

One visitor said: “This was the most wonderful experience. The exhibition of sculptors was quite fascinating and very well displayed, and the guides in the galleries were well informed and each had a bag of aids to bring the exhibits to life.”

If you are looking for somewhere to stay, the Fort Road Hotel is reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s style. The building was originally a boarding house from 1820 before it was refurbished in 2022.

Rooms feature unique works of art and the property also includes a basement bar. Although not the cheapest, this hotel might be worth spending a bit more on.

One guest said: “This is the best hotel I’ve stayed in. The attention to detail, the furniture and paintings, the cleanliness, the restaurant, the incredibly comfortable bed and the friendly staff all made for a wonderful stay.”

Many Brits will be happy to know that Margate has 10.1 hours of sunshine a day, the longest amount of the top 15 cheapest seaside locations in the UK.

The town is also the third top searched-for UK beach among Brits, reaffirming its popularity as a staycation destination in England.

Margate‘s charming retro arcades and 1950s style seafront feel makes it unique and worth a visit, especially at a bargain price.

The number one cheapest spot in the UK is Lowestoft, in Suffolk, with meals averaging £5.50 and six hours of parking costing £3.15 on average.