By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Our Margate sits close to Atlantic City and is known for its beaches, beautiful homes, art scene, and of course, Lucy the Elephant. However, this quaint town was named after Margate, England, which is also a beach town. What makes this town unique from its namesake? Here’s the scoop on our neighbors across the pond.
Margate is a seaside town in the region of Kent, which is located on the southeastern tip of Great Britain. Similarly, Margate became a popular destination in the 19th century, thanks to the invention of the steam engine. Margate in England has an amusement park (Dreamland), making them a popular destination for families. Our Margate is a popular vacation spot for people from Philadelphia, while the other Margate draws crowds from London.
South Jersey has fairly temperate weather, similar to our British friends. Margate in England receives more rain generally than our town but is considered one of the drier areas in England. Both cities receive a lot of sunshine, perfect for the beach. Both have similarly-sized populations.
Margate in England has been a seaside tourist attraction for 250 years, and they have offered amusement rides since the early 20th century. They have two classical theatres, hosting Shakespeare productions as well Samuel Beckett’s political productions. They have an Arnold Palmer miniature golf course, which was illegally converted to a skate park, but closed recently due to safety concerns. They host an annual jazz festival in June and an automobile festival every September.
Our British namesake has been referenced in a T.S. Eliot poem (“Oh Margate sands, I can connect, Nothing with nothing”), and in a Chas & Dave song. It has a 16th century Tudor house that’s protected by the Margate historical society. It’s been featured in the Peaky Blinders series. It’s also home to a minor league soccer (or British football) team. Most importantly, it has miles of beach for vacationers to enjoy.
So what makes our Margate special? There are great restaurants, bayside attractions (like charter fishing boats), and miles and miles of glorious beaches. The town is only a few miles away from casinos and the Ocean City boardwalk. The city hosts an annual Fall Funfest by the bay and a competitive cornhole event. There are aquaparks, spas, surf shops, a Jewish Community Center, boutiques, and fantastic restaurants.
We salute you, Margate of England, but I’m pretty sure New Jersey has the better Margate. Lucy the Elephant would agree.
