Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Isle of Thanet, England

June 11, 2021 Tynisha Seiler

Discover the best top things to do in Isle of Thanet, United Kingdom including The Little Art Gallery, The Micro Museum, The Shell Grotto, The Powell-Cotton Museum, Theatre Royal, Crampton Tower Museum, Minnis Bay, Joss Bay, Margate Tudor House, Viking Bay.
Restaurants in Isle of Thanet

1 Eldon Place The Parade, Broadstairs CT10 1NA England +44 7817 116007 [email protected] http://www.arttogo.co.uk
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 52 reviews

The Little Art Gallery

The Little art Gallery is exactly that, little, but we pack a lot in a small space. Come and see over 300 original paintings, prints and handmade crafts by local artists. We pride ourselves on being affordable, so you may be surprised just how little an original piece of art work will cost here. We can be commissioned to paint anything from your pet to your favourite scene. We hold various art lessons in Broadtairs and art weekends at the Yarrow hotel Broadstairs and The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye East Sussex, we also have a trip to Italy planned where you can learn to paint in beautiful surroundings Please see our website for more details Come and see us when you visit beautiful Broadstairs. We are open every day throughout the summer and always weekends all through the year.

Reviewed By tracyhT5051QW

We had watched a programme called "Home is were the art is" and decided that we would look around galleries rather than buying a print from a shop. We were staying near Broadstairs and noted that there were a number in Broadstairs to look around so headed for the town. We soon came across this tiny gallery. I was keen to go in as the paintings on display looked like the type of art we liked. We went inside but decided that there wasn't anything that we thought would fit into the new colour scheme of our lounge. Vicki over heard us chat and said that she was capable of painting anything in any colour! Well between Vicki and us we came up with the idea and after showing her a rug we had considered buying, she became very excited and could see exactly what she wanted to paint. We chatted about her ideas, paid a deposit and left. Scary moment, we were only taking this risk after watching the tv programme and feeling brave. Well I'm so glad we trusted her. When my husband hung the paintings I cried with happy emotion. The paintings had captured all the colours we wanted plus every happy memory of our time on a beach. Please go and see for yourself, don't take my word for it and I assure you, you will be very glad you did. I just wanted to add this, I've been told that Vicki has been contacted by Home is where the art is, if chosen she will be perfect I'm sure.

2. The Micro Museum

11 Church Hill, Ramsgate CT11 8RA England +44 7876 271255 [email protected] http://www.themicromuseum.org
Excellent
87%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 239 reviews

The Micro Museum

Kent's only Museum of vintage computers and video games. The showcase for the owners' personal collection gathered over 45+ years. Visitors can discover the ideas and inventions that led to the modern digital world, do the history quiz, indulge in some nostalgia and look for their first computer among the 100s of items on display, then play on the many classic games consoles and computers. Up to 3 hours game play included in the admission price. 2020 Open Easter (Good Friday) - 31 August on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays plus extra Mondays and Fridays during Kent school holidays. 1-4pm. All dates and more information can be found on the website.

Reviewed By jessicamrsread - Margate, United Kingdom

This was perfect, the kids loved it, and so did the parents. What a wonderful collection of stuff, a proper trip down memory lane and great fun.

3. The Shell Grotto

33 Grotto Hill, Margate CT9 2BU England +44 1843 220008 [email protected] http://www.shellgrotto.co.uk
Excellent
56%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,231 reviews

The Shell Grotto

Pre-booking essential. The Shell Grotto is one of the world’s most mysterious places: a series of underground rooms and passageways covered by 2000sqft of exquisite mosaic created with 4.6 million shells. Discovered in 1835, nobody knows who created it, when, or why. “The grotto is simultaneously haunting and homely. It could be a lost pagan shrine or have ‘A Present From Margate’ picked out in the shells - it wouldn’t matter. It’s still magical, mysterious and (once it’s in your head) impossible to forget.” Far From the Sodding Crowd: More Uncommonly British Days Out, Penguin Books.

Reviewed By Choxbird - Norfolk, United Kingdom

This is only a very small attraction but well worth a visit .. Had to prebook ticket due to the Covid-19 situation ... Amazing and mysterious display of shells lining a tunnel and underground room .. Friendly staff and nice gift shop .. Well worth a visit when in Margate :-)

4. The Powell-Cotton Museum

Quex Park, Birchington CT7 0BH England +44 1843 842168 [email protected] http://www.powell-cottonmuseum.org/
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 447 reviews

The Powell-Cotton Museum

The Powell-Cotton Trust are excited to announce the formal launch of our ‘Reimagining the Museum’ project. Over the next 2 years the Trustees with the ‘Reimagining’ programme team, have some key aims: - Implementation of our decolonisation strategy - Redesign and develop our education and outreach programme - Deliver the ‘Colonial Critters’ project - Create and deliver an exciting programme of public engagement – both digital and physical, including public events - Carry out essential remedial and restorative work to the museum building, Quex House and Quex Gardens Throughout this exciting period of change we have taken the difficult decision that the museum, house and gardens will not be open for public visits other than through organised events and programmes. These will all be advertised on our website and through social media, allowing audiences to continue to connect with our collections – physically, virtually and through outreach.

Reviewed By pottypolly - Whitstable, United Kingdom

Whilst February isn’t the best time to see the gardens there is so much inside the museum to see. An amazing collection and worth a visit.

5. Theatre Royal

Addington Street, Margate CT9 1PW England +44 1843 292795 [email protected] http://www.theatreroyalmargate.com
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 142 reviews

Theatre Royal

A gem of a theatre in Margate town presenting an exciting mix of shows and events.

Reviewed By kevjeff54 - Hockley, United Kingdom

We attended a show compered by LUNATRAKTORS, an amusing folk duo supported by a number of female acts based around Power of Women and International Women’s Day. The show combined dance, song and music, poetry and of course old folk, otherwise known as Broken Folk by Lunatraktors themselves. The actual theatre oozes character and a long history dating back originally to the 18th century and is regularly seen to stage famous acts from London’s west end as well as local talent. A very cosy venue in a traditional style with balconies and boxes and magnificent decor. If anything could be improved it would be the external structure that needs a bit of TLC.

6. Crampton Tower Museum

Crampton Tower The Broadway, Broadstairs CT10 2AB England +44 1843 871133 http://www.cramptontower.co.uk/
Excellent
54%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Crampton Tower Museum

Reviewed By 333clare - Ramsgate, United Kingdom

Visited today with my 2 granddaughters (8 and 5) who loved the model train layouts, spotting the cows and sheep in the fields and pressing the buttons to work the trains. But the most memorable part of the visit was meeting Father Christmas and his hard working elves. The girls were captivated by the elves workshop and their meeting with Father Christmas was so special, I think they will remember it for many years (I know I will). Thank you so much to all involved in making this a magical experience for us all.

7. Minnis Bay

Birchington CT7 9LX England +44 1843 577577 [email protected] http://www.visitthanet.co.uk/attractions/minnis-bay/8124
Excellent
53%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 270 reviews

Minnis Bay

Reviewed By FrankMiall - Chatham, United Kingdom

Looking for quiet beach walk, wonderful views, sandy beach, wide walk paths open space, green meadow, room for dogs to run, shells for carpet to walk on and lastly relaxing deep sea air to breath in. I think I've painted the pictures. Don't tell everyone.. We will be back..

8. Joss Bay

Joss Gap Road, Broadstairs CT10 3PG England
Excellent
61%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 276 reviews

Joss Bay

Reviewed By Taz3619 - Hawkinge, United Kingdom

Loved this beach had a fab day out car park is great £5.00 all day in farmers field opposite beach there is a shop toilets and rock pooling when tide is out. Still space on beach when tide is in but get there early as gets busy real quick on hot days definitely going again and will reccomend to anyone.

9. Margate Tudor House

60 King Street, Margate CT9 1QE England +44 1843 231213 http://www.visitthanet.co.uk/attractions/tudor-house-margate/9908
Excellent
56%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 159 reviews

Margate Tudor House

The Tudor house in Margate, thought to be one of the oldest of its kind in Kent, was open to the public on selected dates during the 2006 summer season.Situated in King Street, it was built around 1525 and is typical of many houses of that period. It’s believed that the Tudor House would have been one of the largest buildings in Thanet and would probably have belonged to a wealthy yeoman farmer. At the time of building, it would have stood close to the bank of the stream which ran down Dane Valley and entered the sea where Margate Harbour now is.The oldest deed can be traced back to 1802, when the Tudor House was a farmhouse owned by Francis Cobb. In 1815, the building was converted into three cottages and the lower part of the exterior of the Tudor House was plastered over, while inside the oak panelling was covered with wallpaper and the beams were plastered over.During the Second World War, the roof was damaged and vibration from bombs led to it tilting forwards. In 1951, restoration work started to return the house to its former glory, when the panelling was completely restored and the windows and doorframes were re-situated.

Reviewed By kaaate7 - Liverpool, United Kingdom

We visited the Tudor house, not realising it was actually closed to the public at the time. The door was open so we went in and nearly scared the life out of Cliff, the volunteer who was practicing Tudor compositions on the keyboard. Fortunately, he was kind enough to give us a tour around the house and was really knowledgeable and passionate about its origins and the background to Tudor life there. He played some music of the period for us and showed us the fantastic replica costumes that have been lovingly handmade upstairs. It's clear that the volunteers here work hard to make the house interesting and informative for kids too and it's a great way for them to learn about the times. It's fantastic that such a house has been so well preserved. We really enjoyed our visit. A big thank you!

10. Viking Bay

Harbour Street, Broadstairs CT10 1EU England
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 877 reviews

Viking Bay

Reviewed By SueW80

This beach is wonderful all year round but during the summer season it is especially interesting. There are activities for younger children, for example, bouncy castles, swingboats, a vintage roundabout and Punch and Judy Show. There is also a watersports school offering surfing, stand-up paddling and kayaking for older children and adults. There are lots of cafes on the beach and around the promenade. It is a really traditional English seaside resort - quaint, charming and very photogenic!

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