21 Jul 2016
Visit the award winning coastline of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate this summer and take your pick from a variety of events – from Punch and Judy on Viking Bay, to opera on Ramsgate Main Sands, from literary fun in Margate to a world-wide tour in a village museum, there's lots of fun to be had and great memories to be made.
Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are easily reached from St. Pancras International with Southeastern – Ramsgate in 75 minutes, Broadstairs in 85 minutes and Margate in 90 minutes.
Further information on these and other events can be found on www.visitthanet.co.uk
Play Expo Margate 2016, Winter Gardens – 23 and 24 July
The UK's favourite Arcade, Indie and Retro video gaming expo is heading to Margate for two days. Crammed full with consoles, computers and arcade machines, plus table top games, tournaments, LAN gaming, pinball and cosplay. Fans of gaming are in for a real treat!
Times: 10am to 6pm both days
Tickets: Per Day - Adult £15, Child £9, Family £40. Weekend Pass - Adult £26, Child £16, Family £64 *Booking Fees for this event are included in the ticket price
Ages: All (under 5's go free)
Ramsgate Festival – 23 to 31 July
Ramsgate's beautiful Royal Harbour and Blue Flag Main Sands provide the stunning backdrop for this year's Ramsgate Festival at which a major new temporary artwork by Ramsgate resident Theresa Smith will be premiered. The words 'PERFUGIUM MISERIS' will sit at the hide tide mark and sink beneath the water as the sea rises. The artwork is clad in photoluminescent vinyl which adds a soft glow to the installation as the daylight fades. 'Perfugium Miseris' is the Latin motto carved into the beautiful Georgian Lighthouse at the end of the western harbor arm and translates as 'refuge for those in need'.
Other highlights include a free screening of opera Eugene Onegin on the beach and a full day of related activities including pop-up performances and opera-oke. Citizen Squid, will be roaming the streets, and the Ramsgate Whale is on the beach. There are two days of live bands on the Harbour, an arts parade, walks, talks, variety shows, comedy, poetry, stalls, live art and more.
Ramsgate Week – 24 to 29 July
Running alongside the Ramsgate Festival, the harbor town plays host to a full programme of racing and is recognized as the friendly regatta and an alternative to Cowes Week.
Explore the World, Powell-Cotton Museum, Birchington – 2 August to 2 September
The Powell-Cotton Museum is inspiring and surprising and showcases the extraordinary lives of Major Percy Powell-Cotton (1866-1940) and his family.
Join the Powell-Cotton family on a worldwide tour. Make sure you collect a passport to get stamped as they are visiting a different country each week. On your travels learn about the country and make a souvenir to take home. Where will they go? Join them to find out.
Adults £8.50, children £6 (includes admission to the Museum, House and Gardens)
To book a place, call the museum on 01843 842168. Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Broadstairs Water Gala – 17 August
Pop down to picturesque Viking Bay in Broadstairs and celebrate the best of the traditional English seaside in a fun packed day. Water 'try out' activities, a seashore discovery walk, sandcastle competition, Punch and Judy, storytelling, beach sports, nautical characters, all day entertainments, family funfair, air display and firework finale. A truly memorable day at the seaside
www.broadstairswatergala.co.uk
Margate Bookie – 20 and 21 August
Participate in two days of literary fun down by the seaside, with a host of famous names including David Quantick, Jay Rayner and Maggie Gee and some up and coming stars. Listen to crime writers, happiness experts and literary giants and enjoy workshops, masterclasses, readings, life writing and magical children's storytelling. Venues include Turner Contemporary, Resort Studios, Sands Hotel, Theatre Royal and Bernie's Chocolate Bar.
Discover Thanet's Coast events
The 'Discover Thanet's Coast' project hosts a variety of innovative events throughout the year; each of which explores the special links between coast, culture and history around the area. Many of these events are free, and summer events include:
Discovery Planet – Margate Super Sleuth, Margate Museum – 30 July
Explore local stories of smuggling and dastardly deeds. Discover how science can help solve crimes with hands-on activities, including finger-printing and lie detector tests. Free. 10am to 5pm.
Broadstairs Folk Week Archaeological Displays – 9 and 10 August
CITiZAN (Coastal Intertidal Zone Archaeological Network), the Trust for Thanet Archaeology and the Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society will be showcasing their projects, with displays and hands-on activities during Folk Week at Balmoral Gardens on Broadstairs Seafront. Join to find out more about the fascinating archaeology of Thanet, and the South East coastline. Free. 10am to 4pm on both days.
Oceans of Light , Turner Contemporary, Margate – 19 and 20 August
Live science experiment and marine bioluminescence workshops. Thanet artist, Rachel Ella Taylor, invites you to join her and a team of local marine biologists and coastal wardens to explore the exciting and magical world of bioluminescence on the coast of Thanet. The workshops are free of charge, but spaces should be booked online in advance. 11am to 1:30pm, then 2:30pm to 5pm on both days.
Sunbeam SEAS Archive Exhibition, Droit House, Margate – 20 August to 4 September
An exhibition of the fascinating Sunbeam photographic collection by the South East Archive of Seaside Photography, including on 27 August – Community Collection Day and on 28 August – Curators Talk. Free. 10am to 4pm.
For further information on Discover Thanet's Coast Events and to book, go to www.visitthanet.co.uk/thanetcoast
ENDS
Press enquiries:
Please contact Julie Edwards, Thanet Tourism on 01843 577671 or Julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk
We can also assist with digital images, reader competitions and bespoke press trip itineraries including accommodation and tours for journalists with a commission.
